really need some advice after rollover

Sorry wore out, I like you, but I don't agree with you this time. We don't know what kind of pressure this person was under. I've been in situations where I was FORCED to drive the truck, and I had a family to feed, and drove it anyway, because I was young, and didn't understand the full ramifications of my actions, I did what the boss told me to do. Do I regret it now? Of course, age has a way of teaching you a lesson, and what to do and what not to do. I'm completely on the OP's side here, because I've been there.

 

His injuries and a rollover on his record is pretty bad to say the least.
No reason to keep bashing him down.

Many of you drivers were not out here in the days of old cabovers and wore out trucks.
Sometimes we had no choice but to drive them to keep food on the table.

Those gravel oil field roads are narrow.....just passing an oncoming truck is dangerous and they have rollovers quite a bit.
Just get a steer tire a couple inches too far to the right and over you go....

Yes,the driver should have refused to drive it but working up there is still like the wild west.
I doubt he wanted to just quit and be stuck up in the middle of nowhere.
Hard call either way.
A water tanker can shove you through an intersection after you stop...tanks with no baffles are a tough job.

 

I feel like you Semi I like you but I disagree. I understand the pressure of feeding his family really. BUT what about the risk of someone else's family due to his negligence. In all reality if a man is a hard worker willing to do what it takes to feed his family they will be fine. I'm not throwing stones but loosing a job is the last of his worries had he killed someone else. That being said where would this thread be headed if title was
Need advise had a wreck killed two people. Then it comes out he knowingly drove an unsafe truck. I also understand if he won't drive it some one else will there lays the problem.

My my post was mainly directed to get him to see that HE is responsible like it or not. I guess I coulda sugar coated it but he needs to see the whole truth not just his side.

 

Never did I heard him indicate that he felt he was not responsible.

But, On the other hand the ultimate responsibility should go to the company, In every occupation except driving the employer holds ultimate responsibility because they are suppose to oversee employees are acting in a safe responsible manor. For some reason this industry give a get out of jail card on the responsibility side to the companies.

I can only judge a situation on what the OP has posted, because my magic ball is broken. If he turned in inspection report indicating a suspension problem and they were ignored then the responsibility shifts to the company. for operating or allowing it to be operated.. His fault sure or as well because of knowingly operating a defective piece of equipment.

Could it have injured someone else, yes . Did it no. But so could taking off your seatbelt to get a knife out of your pocket while driving down the road. SO could nooding off while driving or a hundred other things.

He has a whole new set of problems to learn from now, without us jumping on the bashing wagon. after a roll over it is very hard to find work in this industry, first hand I know this one. It wont matter fault, only that it happened.

God speed on your recovery, contact a lawyer to protect yourself your the only one without one in this situation. PM me if I can help. This forum is full of Monday morning experts so take it for what its worth.

 

I'm not bashing him. I cannot say what I woulda done I wasn't there. His words were it was completely out of his hands. That is false. He knew there was a problem. The fact it's a smooth bore tank compounded that problem. I know companies refuse to fix things I know no one else was hurt. But here is my point. Each time a driver decides to drive a rig that is unsafe he accepts responsibility for the outcome regardless of what the out come is. In a boom setting there is a lot of back woods no one around driving, but there is driving in traffic to. Knowing when to say enough, and stand your ground is key. True he could have gotten fired from his job. By keeping on he most likely done that anyway, along with serious injuries.

We all have a responsibility to others on the road, I'm not the great one who has never done wrong or been painted in that corner that I felt there was no other way out. I have but the instant I decided to move forward I accepted full responsibility for what may come. His employer is at fault as well you bet but did they threaten his or his families safety to get him to drive that truck don't sound like it. So in my opinion the COMPANY did not force him to drive. He forced himself to drive it, in doing so he put others at risk.

Im sure he will learn from it. That being said nothing can be done now but make the best of a bad situation. Throwing blame around and playing he said she said will accomplish nothing.

FWIW I had the south bound side of the interstate blow up on me while heading northbound. I have layed one over myself, had to pull my very young son out of it. All because a driver on the south bound service road chose to drive an unsafe rig. So I can speak from experience here.

 

I don't know where this will end up, but I do wish you the best. In my book, a mechanic who doesn't drive is only a good mechanic when he can fix what a driver tells him is wrong. I'm an OO who fixes a lot of my own problems because it matters. When I cant, it goes to a reputable shop. Regardless of ownership, your life and livelihood matter. Time to find a better job with a more responsible owner.

 

A driver does need to know enough to accurately describe the failure, including the part by name (spring, shock, brake can, what ever).

I carry bright safety yellow tags and I tag the item so theres no mistake. I also highlight the entry in the DVIR book. When possible talk directly to the guy whos going try to fix your problem.

 

But a mechanic does need to know enough to be able to find a problem either from the best description that a driver can give or a test drive.

 

Agreed, also mechanics should be able to drive. IMHO

 

Wore out I want to thank you and a few others for holding down the fort
on PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. What kind of message do you sugar coating enablers send to these rookies and wannabe's reading this thread.

He failed rule number 1 of the super truckers code of conduct. Cover your own turd cutter. I can't believe some of the excuses some of you came up with. Excuses don't hold water. They just stink up the joint. Man up to your part and learn from your mistakes or u will be repeating those mistakes instead of correcting them. I'm not going hard on the op. It could of happened to anybody who let excuses drive their truck.

Man up use your head and the common sense the good lord gave you. Keep these roads safe we are the professionals. God bless n happy holiday's to you n yours. White line fever is calling my name. We goneeee. Yeeeeee hawww