backing accident question

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by AndrewMemphis, Nov 5, 2013.

  1. AndrewMemphis

    AndrewMemphis Light Load Member

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    I work for JB Hunt right now. I had a backing accident at a Meijer DC around Detroit back in July. I hadn't gotten a lot of sleep that day and there were obstacles that kept me from getting the set up correct, but its in the past now. When I was backing into a door, I hit a drivers catwalk area near the fuel tank and twisted up the steps. Luckily I did not puncture the fuel tank. I was put on a 6 month probation due to the incident. That was a really bad day for me, my nerves were shot. The damage came to $5,000. If I decided to get away from JB, would anyone hire me in spite of that? How long do I need to wait till I won't have to worry about that in my fresh trucking career? I also recently got a ticket for running a stop sign in small town Bloomfield, MO. It was dark, rainy and 11 pm that night.
     
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  3. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Why don't you offer to pay for the damage to keep it off your record?I don't know how long you would have to wait but my guess would be awhile due to the cost.
     
  4. coastie

    coastie Road Train Member

    If you only had 1 incident and 1 ticket You should be able to get a job else where. When it really comes into play when you have a bunch
     
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  5. indspirit

    indspirit Light Load Member

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    Probably 3 years at the best. If you have a job still with JB Hunt keep it. Look for smaller companies that may hire you if you really want to leave. But don't leave unless you have something in writing.
     
  6. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    You need at least 1 year clean for companies to accept you. 5 g in damage is major. Running a stop sign is a stupid mistake as well and quite serious. No mater what time of night, thats major
     
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  7. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Alright, I'm not trying to be a buster, just going to give you an honest opinion.

    i have to agree wth Richter. The backing accident, you say that you didn't get much sleep. You also didn't get out and look. The stop sign incident...if the stop sign wasn't blocked from view, you were either not paying attention OR driving too fast for road conditions. These incidents scream of a careless driver. If I worked in HR in a trucking company, I couldn't allow myself to hire you. My primary goal would be to protect the company.

    That being said, you'd better stay with JB for a bit. Or did JB fire you after you ran the stop sign on probation?

    And before someone jumps in and say, "These guys are all perfect. They never do anything wrong" or anything like that, I will just add, "We don't have to be perfect to drive a truck, we DO have to bring our A Game every time we get behind the wheel though. Good weather, bad weather, good sleep, bad sleep, good mood, bad mood, whatever.
     
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  8. luvtotruck

    luvtotruck Road Train Member

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    Dude, You just need to watch what you are doing, You have a backing incident on your record, you have a stop sign ticket and am on your way to being fired from JB but if you keep like mentioned your A game on, You will be fine. I wish you luck.
     
  9. AndrewMemphis

    AndrewMemphis Light Load Member

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    Jan 5, 2013
    Southeast region
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    I still have a job with JB Hunt but I fear the next mistake will be my termination. I've already had 3 or 4 conference calls with safety since July. First one was for posting something I shouldn't have on Facebook, second one was for the backing accident in July, third one was because I hadn't gotten enough sleep and I told them I couldn't make the load so they wanted to make sure I was okay and not ill, and fourth one was today for that stop sign. I feel like I'm under a lot of scrutiny from corporate and I wish I wasn't. I've never been fired from a job in my entire life so I'm trying to stay positive. Oh yeah and I've gotten enough log violations to have a class over it. Next time I go to Lowell in person for a meeting. After that is termination.

    I know I'm new and only been at this for a year but I love driving. I love seeing the country and being away from retail. So all this is definitely stressing me and I'm not sure what I need to do to improve my situation. I'm really trying to dot all my i's and cross my t's!
     
  10. ewill71

    ewill71 Heavy Load Member

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    since its a major accident that's what I would be worried about. Why would you want to leave JB??? If they keep you on it would be best to stay on with them deal with the 6 months. If you leave and go to another company they will ask why you left. There is 100% that this wil be on your permanent record and to try to duck it and leave would not be wise. But if your unhappy with JB then its your choice to leave but it will not look good. Good luck.
     
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  11. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Philadelphia Pa
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    Im not perfect, i have a speeding ticket and a minor backing incident in a alot. But mine only cost 100 in damage. Depending on speed, companies weigh stop sign violations higher then speeding. The 5000 dollar claim really hurts. So i too, have to bring my A game and not screw up for at least a year.
     
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