Scratched a trailer

Exactly. The non chalant "it's just cosmetic what's the big deal" attitude really grinds my gears.

 

You're supposed to back into and practice backing between COMPANY trailers.... Everyone has to start somewhere and I started at Werner. Every time I was at a terminal, I practiced backing. I'd go slow enough that if (when) I bumped another trailer it didn't do any (much) damage. They were and are a training company, they expect some damage. The result is that I haven't (yet) done damage to someone else's equipment. ((knock on wood))

 

I would have personally offered him $150 cash just so we didn’t need to report such a tiny scratch. Hell when that trailer stays at a dropyard the yarddogs will put a bigger scratch than that and he won’t even be able to sue.

 

You compared it to damaging a uniform. That's where i, and others inferred the nonchalant no big deal mentality. How it will effect you is your company is responsible for the damages. Could be 500 hundred dollars to replace a couple rivets and weld up the gouges. Could be 10 grand if crossmembers and side rail are structurally damaged No way to tell without getting under it and inspecting it.

 

How do you pay for damages to an accident that wasn’t your fault? How long ago was this? The at fault drivers insurance pays that, not you! My opinion? Pack your bags, and find a more reputable company! Sounds like your friends friend is a thief

 

it'll be on your permanent work record at your company.

when asked by a future employer you record, they will tell them you had x number of accidents or incidents.

the new employer will then judge whether to hire you or not.

you really need to pay more attention to details.

it all will add up to a driver not being professional. chances will be that no company of the "better to best" to work for will want you.

 

Hitting a trailer, or any other object is the very definition of negligence. The nail strips in my trailer floor are a high wear rate item, not the outside rails. Those can only be damaged by negligence.

 

There is nothing to fix. They aren't going to cut out a chunk of the frame just to repair a scratch. Your company's own insurance adjuster will probably tell them to get lost.