Accident

How many lanes in the direction you were going??? What was the posted speed limit?? Was it daylight or dark??? and lastly weather conditions at the time??

It is starting to sound like she was trying to go around you on the left when the collision occurred. Question is why??

IF you were turning across a thru traffic lane to your left and she didn’t see the signal that makes the situation a toss up, he said she said. If the posted speed limit is 40 or above also makes it tougher to call based on statements. Evaluation of physical evidence is needed. Sounds like there should have been physical evidence at the point of impact for exact placement.

As far as a short statement to the officer. Yeah yours should have been pretty short.

IF she was trying to pass you on the left in a turn lane makes it much clearer she was at fault.

It was two lanes both way, it was one of those turn lanes that didnt have any kind of stop signs or lights so it was my discretion to turn appropriately and as i said there were no cars within sight once i started my turn. Speed limit was 35 and as far as i can tell she didnt even attempt to slow down. It was night time and weather was cold but clear as i said i was in california

Sounds like the lady was looking to lie her way out of a citation. And the freakout was part of the cover.

If her car was towed - it is DOT REPORTABLE - which affects the company safety score - even if you were not at fault. Now, a company THAT BIG - probably not a huge it in and of itself.

I would NOT HAVE MOVED A THING, until the cop arrived. DID YOU GET PICTURES BEFORE YOU MOVED ANYTHING? FILL UP YOUR PHONE CAMERA ROLL FROM ALL ANGLES, if you get in a bender - helps down the road (like when the lady files in nuisance suit for injury). Company risk department may just do a "shut up and go away" payment (cheaper than getting lawyers involved). And since this lady had no insurance, you can pretty much bet she's going to run somewhere with her hand out, looking for a payoff. She may have even hit you INTENTIONALLY - to get a new car and some spending $$ (happens ALL THE TIME - since trucks are considered rolling cash registers for insurance scammers).

There will be a long-form accident report on this - cop should have given you a Case Number - GET A COPY FOR YOURSELF.

Most cops can see through BS - but if she hit you mid-trailer - the allegation from her could be "he made a sudden turn into me". But as PJ said - if she tried to GO AROUND YOU, IN THE TURN LANE - she was plainly at fault.

Typically - citations are issued ON THE SPOT - whether or not they fly IN COURT depends - as if the cop DID NOT WITNESS IT - HE CANNOT TESTIFY TO IT. Only suppositions based on past experience, and what his observations that went into the report revealed. State Troopers tend to have way more training and experience at accident investigations, than regular old patrol cops - and if an actual accident investigation unit responded they typically do even better at reconstructing circumstances. Another reason why you take pics and do not move your vehicle until someone arrives and TELLS YOU TO - even though most state laws require accident vehicles must be moved from lanes of travel if able to do so. But in the case of a "sketchy participant" in the accident, I wouldn't move AN INCH.

Keep us posted on how this thing progresses...

Rick

Ya i realize now i probably should have taken photos before moving or not moving at all but she had already reversed out from under me by anout 100 feet so in my frantic between the traffic i was causing plus her screaming and yelling i instinctively moved out of the way in traffic the only thing i did do was reverse to the side of the road right where i got it so i can show where it happened at least. Though i dont know if this changes anything. Cause as i said she had backed 100 feet back from where it had actually occured

Ya i realize now i probably should have taken photos before moving or not moving at all but she had already reversed out from under me by anout 100 feet so in my frantic between the traffic i was causing plus her screaming and yelling i instinctively moved out of the way in traffic the only thing i did do was reverse to the side of the road right where i got it so i can show where it happened at least. Though i dont know if this changes anything. Cause as i said she had backed 100 feet back from where it had actually occured

Can you post a Google Maps location of where this happened?

I was making a left there at the cross section to make a right into the parking lot then come back out the other side of the parking lot back onto the street i turned from to turn around. Initially i was just going to make a left and take the long way round but sense it was dark i didnt realize it wasnt a full street until i started to make my turn so the church was my back up plan

So like i said i made a very wide turn so i can end on the left side of the narrow road so i could make the right turn into the parking lot

Thanks for posting the map view. Sorry I have no advice as a new cdl holder just following to learn something.

So like i said i made a very wide turn so i can end on the left side of the narrow road so i could make the right turn into the parking lot

Map View By GPS Coordinates

Like - everyone paste this into google maps - and go to satellite view.

You are like - in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. How does someone hit you IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE?

Rick

Ok...first take a deep breath. 2nd....you have been with Prime 2 years and ONLY had one preventable. That's not bad at all. The non preventable isn't held against you. You didn't kill.anyone. the truck and trailer are upright. The equipment and cargo didn't catch on fire. Your truck wasn't towed.

If you were getting fired they would have had you repowered and brought you into the terminal. You wouldn't have been given another load. As long as you were truthful, you will be fine. Live and learn. Even stating you were looking to turn in the parking lot rather than attempt an illegal U-turn plays in your favor. You were already safety conscious.

Did you read about my infamous "accident story"? I knocked an axle off the trailer my first month solo. That will be 5 years ago in March. Still here. I was also struck by a drunk driver and hit 2 deer. And to my embarrassment..... In September i was tired and lazy and long story short...i punctured a near by trailer with my mirror. The safety guy said "things happen. Thanks for reporting it so we are prepared for any issues. Some people try to hide things and that makes it worse".

Worst case scenario...they will bring you into the terminal for a safety class. Accidents happen. No one was injured.

If you want to talk so I can reassure you, email me at rainydal74@gmail.com And I will give you my number

But trust me....you will be fine.