Rubbed a tree limb, Accident or Incident???

Rubbed it real good then. We get the pleasure of dodging low branches and wires on some of these detours at 13’8” tall and 100’ long. But our load is a tissue paper fragile airplane wing wrapped in a 1/4” layer of foam. Just have to slow down and aim for the light stuff.

 

#treelivesmatter

 

I did the same with a big company, omnitracks said take next left after it caught up after missing the road routed me to it ,not 1st time,none the less my fault for not seeing it was residential road,I was 5 minutes from delivery.the top of my trailer got a little damage by Spanish moss tree limb that I would have definitely missed if had just lowered my air bags for 5 seconds.I take full responsibility for not seeing the "no trucks" sign that was there down in ditch after you get on the residential. Didn't break a limb. Of course also had the luck of hero neighbor call the law,lawman was very professional and nice guy .also its nowhere on my PSP, or MVR but The Transport company keeps reporting it everytime I apply for new job to that company. I was chosen haul star at end of cdl school at same place in tontitown. I delivered to 17 states ,worked there for 6 months. I didn't get fired,i passed drug and alcohol tests as I don't mess with that and not even a ticket on my driving record before I got into trucking. It seems I've ruined my career as even WE has not hired me yet ,I've been to their orientation twice .after1st time they said need psp. Had to go to foia to get that.just went through orientation again and now they said they didn't see it until the accident until now. I told them it was a tree limb-absolutely the truth! i think they didn't check with previous company until now and previous is mad because I quit after that because they just let me sit at loves lot in my undamaged tractor for a 6,7 day week with no response to my messages. I left messages that i was quitting abd going home-they finally answered after& i said i was quitting. They said ok, to leave tractor at loves which is who they do 90% business with- what should I do?6 months experience and now what,wait 3 years after all the time spent? I need work now, 48 years old.Any help would be appreciated. Mike19931998

 

Well make sure you keep a copy of what you filled out Called CYA

 

First option- If not under load, ask for some down time [personal issues] and take the trailer to a repair shop and have it repaired without saying anything.

Second option A- If under load and tight time frame, purchase tar-backed flashing tape and get up there one way or another [old timey truck stops still have step-ladders to wash windshields]. Tape off the damage to seal it and avoid damaging freight.

Second option B- Offer to pay cash for the professional repair to avoid any paperwork.

You could have at least asked them, "Is there any way to avoid doing this paperwork?" and let them recommend that you pay for it out-of-pocket.

Most of my experience in trucking has been with smaller outfits and they would've preferred the above scenarios.

Megas? Not so much.

Most companies, big or small, don't want more claims to their insurance.

This kind of thing happens in trucking. Worrying about whether it should be called "accident" or "incident" is a rookie move.

Figuring out solutions wherein your employment history and driving record are left intact is the veteran move here...

 

OP was driving a CMV and STRUCK a tree branch; that's an accident.

When parked at the dock and the wind moves one of the doors into the door frame; that's an incident.

 

I worked with a guy he hit a tree, and he got back and told the company that the tree hit him ha ha ha ha kid you not ha ha ha,