Profile For Smart C.

Hello guys, I've wondered this off and on. Drivers are supposed to make sure load is secure on live loads, having the opportunity to take a look in the trailer before departure. I just had a live load. However the girl closed the doors and sealed the truck before I even got out. They assured me it's absolutely fine because she's good at loading...but I'm wondering how discipline works when damage is indeed the fault of the driver.

I've never had a claim of more than a box or two. If a significant portion of the load is damaged, what happens? Can someone get fired the first time for something significant? Or is it just a quick digging in the rear end by fleet manager and told to be more on top of it?

Last couple times I was there, everyone had their own hotel room. Masks are required pretty much everywhere again because of the recent spike. Temperatures were constantly being taken at various locations along with the typical symptom questions at times.

Sorry if this has previously been answered and I missed it. I am about to attend prime inc and alot of the posts I saw where from years ago. I was wondering if anything has changed due to covid ie class sizes length of training sharing rooms etc

Thanks in advance

Really appreciate the reassurance....means a lot coming from yourself (I'm guessing you're still at Prime). No, no other incidents other than that Swift truck running into me while parked at a Flying J (still can't believe it) Good point about admitting the reverse. Another driver was disappointed that I admitted it, saying to never admit such a thing. I think I need to tell him how terrible advice that is.

Take a minute and breathe.

No lawyers needed. Prime will pay the damages. Prime is not going to fire you. Worst case... They will send you to the safety SIM class which you have been here a year anyway right? So it is about time to redo that anyway. And you will get paid $100 for the class.

They know you wont feel it hit. Other people have swiped parked cars and not known. You are not going to get fleeing the scene. I will pay you $500 if you do.

I said that here publicly cause im that sure.

If you have no other incidents and have been a productive driver and on time they are not going to let you go for a minor thing. You didn't kill anyone... No one got run off the road.... The truck didn't flip...nothing was on fire...

And you didn't lie.... Cause they can actually see what gear you are in. Now... If you said you never reversed and she said you did and they pulled your stats and saw you in reverse... That would be a different story. They wouldn't trust a liar.

You will be fine.

Yes, I've already made up in my mind I'll hire a lawyer if neccsary. No, no citations today. I just really hope the prosecutor/court is aware that is very difficult to feel a sedan hit the center of the rear bumper going likely less than 8 miles per hour. So frustrating.

From FMCSA website :

§383.51 – Disqualifications of Drivers – General Questions

Guidance Q&A Question 4: What is meant by leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV?

Guidance: As used in part 383, the disqualifying offense of “leaving the scene of an accident involving a CMV” is all-inclusive and covers the entire range of situations where the driver of the CMV is required by State law to stop after an accident and either give information to the other party, render aid, or attempt to locate and notify the operator or owner of other vehicles involved in the accident.

I believe you have a valid argument about not feeling it. However if you do end up being cited and found guilty its a minimum of 1 year Disqualification from driving. Not trying to scare you just trying to shoot straight with you. The fact he didn't issue you that citation at the time should work out to your favor. Were you issued any citations at the scene? If you receive any tickets HIRE A LAWYER.

Yes, I don't think it's fraud. I think I backed up, stopped in time.....but it caused her to run into me because she didn't expect me to be backing in that situation. The first cop actually told me she hit me. He left for some reason.....and the second cop said he wasn't sure...that's when I admitted to reversing....so we were just left unsure.

I'm just hoping I don't get charged after the fact with fleeing the scene. I think that would just about end things for me.... when all were talking is just some paint transfer/no injuries. I didn't feel it. She never blew the horn or anything. Would be a shame.

I hit submit too quick. I meant to say I am sorry this happened to you. We all learn some lessons out here the hard way. Hopefully this will stick with you and you'll always remember how serious the consequences are of backing up where you shouldn't.

We actually understand. There's been a lot of times where I was tempted to do something crazy in a truck, but the important thing is recognizing what's crazy and what is proper. Keep you head on straight and you will get it all figured out. Never back a truck up without knowing what is behind you or what could potentially come in behind you during the process.

Yes, I really did learn from that. What about the repsonse of being charged with fleeing the scene? The cop seemed pretty convinced I possibly just didn't feel it. He did however say more investigation was needed. Do you think that's an automatic termination even if my license remains valid? That seems like it would be disastrous job wise. And it's something I genuinely did not do intentionally.

You never reverse. Ever.

This

You'll be fine. Acknowledge your fault and determine to never do it again.

They acted like it wasn't a big deal. However, it was night time Safety. They said daytime staff was more knowledge. I'm now worried about the matter of leaving the scene now however. I'm thinking they would have cited me then and there, no?

What did safety say to you? You talked to your fm? And do a micro 38 ?

Yeah....she was behind me and never blow the horn or anything.

Man if they charge u for leaving the scene! Far worst than the accident.

Hi All What I did was kind of stupid. I was at a traffic light in the right lane. I wanted to get into the left lane. I reversed a little....but then I saw a car trying to come out of a shopping center. Her car was perpendicular to the end of the trailer. So I have up on reversing...thought that was the end of it.

I was then approached by an officer at a Blue Beacon, saying she hit me. I didn't feel anything I definitely saw her (not even behind me yet). I talked to my trainer about this...he's thinking insurance fraud. The cops were convinced that I didn't "flee" the scene intentionally. Ultimately, this will probably be considered my fault.

How serious is first time at fault? I realize it's typically not that serious. However, I did reverse for a not very good reason. I'm still at Prime Inc

I had a plant one, specifically, Home Depot. 14 stops!!! At some locations, I had to call and call. When dealing with *13* managers at the dropoffs, SOMEONE is going to be having a bad day.....yeah that happened a couple times (one of which her subordinates actually apologized for her) "she's going through some family things". When unloading, plants would inevitably tip over......topsoil and mulch all over the place, including between the pallets with blisters waiting with no gloves. Equipment/customers in the way shopping/loading plants/flowers. I've seen some driver's with super short tempers and a lot less patience than myself. It would be very interesting to see camera crews follow these guys on such loads. Cruel...but people would definitely watch.

Got my first flower load just now. I hear Prime people complaining about these all the time. Multiple stops, Driver unload. Anyone here have experience with the dreaded flower loads? Are they as bad as people say?