Had Minor Fender Bender Today.

Actually it was his licence plate that I backed into. I was on a street that no big rig should be on. Lots of construction going on and a uber driver was right behind me. I didn't see him but I had to back up so I could get over to the left more to make this turn. I still hit the curb and bent my front right tandom wheel and the tire came away from the rim. So Got all kinds of pics for claims and I am waiting on maintenance to come fix the flat. I can't believe I didn't GOAL. I know how stupid it was to not GOAL. But I didn't see anyone coming down the street. He showed how close he was to my bumper and it was inches. Maybe 4 or 5 inches. But I'm still to blame. I should have gotten out and looked. As I said in an earlier thread this morning the Qualcomm has been acting up and I was heading to the Denver terminal to get it fixed. It routed me to this way and then told me I was out of route. No excuse for my backing up the way I did though. I will not make mistake again.

We exchanged info and told him to make his claim.

Such a fun day.

That’s unfortunate because it may be labeled as a “Preventable”. At the least, it will be on your company file as an incident. Luckily for you there were a lot worse things that could happen. Don’t get frustrated or rushed to the point that you start taking safety shortcuts. The outcome could be much worse. Another lesson learned. Tomorrow is a new day.

Sorry to hear that. Can't tell you how many times I've gone down the wrong road only to realize it after it was too late. I've had some Good Samaritans bail me out. It's not the end of the world just learn from it. When I had my ding in the truck stop old school gave me some great advice... When safety talks to you don't make excuses own up to your mistake and learn from it. Keep pushing forward brother God bless.

Thanks PacRat

I know I screwed up. Lesson learned.

Raptor

While I'm sure that others may chime in as well, I would not post any statements about an accident on a public forum.

But I'm still to blame.

Rob D,

Welcome to the forum, however, your comment is unwarranted. I understand for insurance purposes that is the first thing non drivers think.

In the trucking world, we need to own up to our responsibilities and mistakes. His company already knows it is his fault, and honestly they expect new drivers to have accidents like this. It is how one gains the skills and knowledge needed to endure.

The test of a true professional is one of these incidents. When dispatch gets a call, "Some idiot was too close to me and i hit him cause this other guy cut me off" what they hear is "Im a spoiled brat who refuses to admit my faults. Everyone around me including you is to blame for my difficientcies."

It also means you are trusted less. By blaming others they never get a sense of the truth of the situations you face on the road. Hence you are a liar and therefore shouldnt be trusted with million dollar equipment and loads. Can you ne trusted to protect the public safety, especially if a driver thinks everyone else is always at fault?

Not to mention, those who never learn from their mistakes never rack up the high miles and great pay along with it.

Now Raptor... chin up and learn from this. It is not the end of the world, we have all done it.

I predicted this from your earlier post about the QC routing. I hoped you meant the written directions were wrong, not the GPS.

So...STOP relying on the GPS and bring out that Rand McNally. You know this.

Tomorrow is another day. Clear your head and dont let this fester and distract you.

Distractions Can Kill Your Career of Worse

Rainy D.

As my profile says, I am considering a career because of my frustration with many things about the corporate world, one of which is a lack of honesty and integrity. In my world the saying is "no good deed go unpunished." Admitting fault is never rewarded and never earns trust. Rather it is viewed as weakness and a "lack of business sense." I always own up to my mistakes (although maybe not publicly) but at least to those to whom I owe responsibility. If the trucking world sincerely truly does reward honesty, integrity, and earns trust, that would be very refreshing.

Theres a thread right now

It is Not My Fault

It discusses a new student who failed and blamed everyone including the examiner. These are the types of personalities that fail in trucking.

I have also written several articles regarding this. Heres on

The Mental Side of Trucking: Judgment & Decisions

Sorry my phone is going wacky and not copying links correctly.

If you search my name you will find several articles regarding Responsibility, Judgement and the lifestyle.

I give real examples from my own experience or the drivers around me.