Had My First Accident And Boy Did I Make It Count

Quite a wake-up call.

Exactly!

Minnis we're all thrilled your okay, but I hope all who read this thread realize why we are always stressing how the best way to break into this field is by starting out as an Over The Road driver.

This is a local job in a dump truck. Those dump trucks are very tricky. Minnis didn't really crash because of the four wheeler. This was just an unfortunate case of not having the experience to deal with the situation properly.

Old School's reply triggered another thought here, in a similar vein, how much of the 6 weeks of experience with the coal hauler was invested in training? Did they explain the increased levels of force you need to manage with a dense, top heavy load perched on a short platform of about 24-26'?

I was taught to drive a 10-wheeler dump truck when I was 18, before the CDL ever existed. My teacher was a fantastic driver with 20 years of experience, accident free. I was trained intensely for a solid month before I was permitted to drive solo. And that was with a 65,000 lb GVW load, not 90. The fear of God was drummed into my head, "this weight can kill you". Never forgot it...

Minnis, we are NOT picking on you. Please do not take it that way. Quite the opposite. Both Old School and I see the exact same risk here. I was perhaps too subtle...

No I'm not taking it that way at all. I have actually been around these coal haulers my entire life. It's kind of the family trade hence why I was only running 35 mph in a 45 mph zone in a straight stretch. One day of the 6 weeks was spent on training and it was location specific training not exactly driving. Looking back on it I know exactly what I should have done but at the time my body disagreed. I would also chalk this up to lack of actual real world experience.

Anyone thinking about getting into the industry that may be reading this, I highly advise starting over the road and getting some miles under your belt. Especially before trying to tackle this kind of rodeo. We are talking being overloaded nearly 50% with an unbelievably high center of gravity. My situation was unique as I said, I've been around this particular sector of trucking my entire life. Also please take my advice, just because you think you are prepared for every situation and have an answer for every question in your head does not mean when it comes to apply that knowledge you will do it correctly. You are a new driver as am I and the only way to gain the actual experience is to see it or go through it yourself. You can run hypotheticals all day long but in the end they're just hypothetical. No 2 situations will be identical.

G-Town, Old School, I think both of you understand what I was trying to get at with that last paragraph, I don't feel like I explained myself correctly so if one of you or anyone else could maybe take it a little deeper or even set me straight if I'm wrong please feel free to do so. There's a very important lesson to be learned here about being prepared but I don't have the words at the moment.

I can't speak for Old School but IMO your reply emphasizes the point. I think you communicated it quite well, very clear.Thanks for taking the time to post a reply.

Good luck and get well!

One day of the 6 weeks was spent on training and it was location specific training not exactly driving.

Minnis has been on the job six weeks with one day of training. I'd like to hear the discussion between the company owner and the insurance company when they start trying to settle this claim on a totaled truck by a brand new driver with one day of training. We were talking about this kind of thing just the other day. So often when we try to start this career with small or local companies, they simply don't have the resources or the time to devote to properly training their new drivers. Then you end up getting paid by how many loads you can haul in a day. It's just not a prudent approach because it puts undue pressure on a new driver to get on with it so they can make some money. I'm really just pointing out the obvious for new people in here looking around.

My comments aren't aimed at, or intended to be critical of Minnis. We just try to help people make the best decisions they can when starting this career, and Minnis just happened to reinforce what we teach by example. We completely get why some people don't want to be an Over The Road driver, but It's just a good solid approach to start your career that way. You can always make the transition to these more challenging jobs after you've developed some skills and confidence under circumstances that will ease you into this career a little more gradually.

Very well put Old School. To be honest, if I had it to do over I would have spent a year or more over the road before tackling this beast but I got big headed and starry eyed. At least I have learned from this mistake and if ever put in this situation again I'll be better prepared to handle it. Here's to many more safe miles for everyone.

I can't imagine jumping into on road dump truck straight out of school. I am glad you weren't seriously injured. I know a broken leg is bad, but it could of been far worse.

The only relatable experience I have is the time I spent driving Cat 775B 50t Haul Trucks for a mining company. I've never seen someone roll one, but I have put one in a ditch. They would have to send 2 front end loaders out to pull ya out. I put one in a ditch because if the haul roads were wet from rain, to determine if we were going to work that day, they would send either myself or another driver out to the pit and back. If we made it, we ran that day. My truck and the other drivers trucks both had sand tires, not off road tires. Sand tires are taller and skinnier. They don't handle mud well. It was like driving on an ice skating rink. The thought was if we could make it to the pit and back, then the rest of the trucks could. Myself and the other driver were the two rookies. What is kinda crazy to think about is those trucks get going 46 mph.