Had My First Accident And Boy Did I Make It Count

So as some may remember I started straight off with a local company hauling coal about 6 weeks ago as my first actual trucking job. Well Monday morning was going great, light traffic, good weather, and I was on track to make an excellent load count that day. Around 1200 the another local mine has a shift change so traffic picks up a bit. Around 1300 I was about 1/4 way into my 6th load of the day. I'm loaded at roughly 90k gross (permitted 94.5k gross on my dump truck) and running around 35 mph in a 45 mph zone taking it easy. As I come to the end of a straight stretch a small 4 wheeler pops around the curve more than half in my lane. My first instinct is to hold my lane and slow WAY down but subconsciously I think I eased to the right because the next thing I know I feel the soft shoulder give way and my truck sliding into the ditch. Now here's where things got hairy. I SHOULD have just rode the ditch until I stopped but not realizing how far in I was I tried getting back on to the road and succeeded momentarily. When my drives came up onto the pavement the momentum built and caused my load to shift over and flopped my truck onto the driver's side. I ended up with some bruises, major soreness and a fractured fibula but for the most part I'm ok. God was watching over me. With that kind of weight, on that road, in that accident, I shouldn't be home resting fairly comfortably on my couch with a job to return to once I'm healed and all my medical expenses covered. Below are some pics of what's left of the truck. The cab protector went through the roof right above my head. It's totaled according to the owner.

Truck wreck 1

Truck wreck 2

Wow, yes sir god was watching over you for sure. Sorry to hear this but thankful you walked awsy from it.

Wow glad you're ok and nobody got seriously injured! It looks like this was on a two lane road, so that 4 wheeler was basically coming straight at you? Did you record the accident with a dashcam?

I'm glad to hear you weren't more seriously hurt. May God speed your recovery.

Thanks guys. No dashcam yet but it really wasn't needed. This sort of thing happens more often on this particular road than anyone cares to admit. DOT didn't even show up. Deputy sheriff came and filed a report and that was about it.

So I assume that means you weren't cited? If so, good deal. My advice, go buy a dashcam as soon as you get your next paycheck. You were fortunate in this situation to keep your job, but next time (hopefully there is no next time) it may help to have proof you had a legitimate reason for swerving. Even a $50 dashcam from Walmart will work.

Good to hear you're okay.

Wow, that is never fun and glad that you are ok for the most part and safe at home. Be safe when you get back out there and buy that dash cam, never can be too prepared.

What a mess that looks like in those photos. Great to read that everyone walked away. Very fortunate!

Wow Minnis, glad you are okay (relatively) and on the mend. Quite a wake-up call.

For those of you wondering 90k GVW in a tri-axle? What?

WV allows coal haulers to purchase an annual weight permit under the CRTS act allowing this.

Even so, that is the MotherLoad considering it's supported by only 4 axles. Very top heavy as well. Lots of extra care and finesse' required when under weight like that.

Wish you well Minnis.