Mirror broke: help company in the wrong, don’t know what to do.

Discussion in 'Report A BAD Trucking Company Here' started by Puddycatxl, Mar 9, 2022.

  1. Puddycatxl

    Puddycatxl Bobtail Member

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    Mar 9, 2022
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    Now mind you this is my 4th week with the company, and going otr for the first time ever. Monday morning I was driving, and due to high winds, a roadsign in a work zone came into the roadway, and ripped off my passenger side mirror. I pulled over at the nearest stop, and reported the incident to to my dm, accidents, police and safety.

    The next morning came, and my dm, safety, and breakdown, said the nearest mirror I could get was 200 miles away, and that it was d.o.t legal since I had a hood mirror. Now I’ve driven for long enough locally to know this just isn’t true, because I cannot see my trailer or safely change lanes. I was then told I was required to drive 200 miles to the nearest t/a because all the departments I called all said it was d.o.t safe “which it isn’t” even though I said specifically i was uncomfortable did not want to do it, and felt unsafe, and to send someone to me.

    Moral of the story I was forced to drive 200 miles with no side mirror because they refused to send anyone to help. It was practically a straight shot , so I stayed in the right lane, and was just going off my hood mirror. I finally get here, to then be told that they never had the part to begin with…. So I speak to my dm who says I need to drive another 2 hours to get the part at a terminal … and this is when I stand my ground , i firmly said I will not drive the vehicle I do not feel safe putting my life and passenger car lives in danger, when switching lanes, to only hear back “get there by the morning or else “ now I’m sitting in my truck unsure of what to do, do I drive the 100 miles, forcibly risk my license, and the lives of myself and others, or get fired with the chance of them labeling the truck as abandoned because I never moved due to safety?? They keep saying it’s dot legal when I know it isn’t hell in an email I even sent him the fmcsa law that said the mirror needed to see behind my truck, and the highway , to which he called and said do it anyway because technically you still have one mirror. Safety even told me I had to drive it, and that it was dot legal which I know it isn’t, and if I drive it I still might get csa points but “ I’ll be fine” what should I do?
     
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  3. Mototom

    Mototom Road Train Member

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    Get what they're saying in writing and don't drive the truck.

    I had my mirror get folded in Detroit it was my driver side door mirror and it was a nightmare.

    No way in hell I'd run down the road like that esp on the passenger side
     
    alds Thanks this.
  4. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

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    Section 393.80 of the FMCSRs requires every bus, truck, and truck tractor to be equipped with two rear-vision mirrors, one at each side, firmly attached to the outside of the motor vehicle, and so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway to the rear along both sides of the vehicle.
     
    laaylor, alds, Lonesome and 3 others Thank this.
  5. Hotplate

    Hotplate Medium Load Member

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    Sep 20, 2015
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    Get them to send you their demands in either e-mail or text which you can record/save.
    Leave truck at nearest truckstop, clean out your stuff, get a ride/bus/Uber home.
    Get an attorney and pursue legal options.
     
  6. TB John

    TB John Company Shill of BYOB & CBD

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    Drive to the terminal, get your mirror fixed, live happily ever after
     
  7. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I would run it in a heartbeat.

    However "get to the terminal or else" wouldn't fly. Let them walk on you today, and what will they be doing tomorrow? Truck drivers are in high demand right now, while companies are a dime a dozen. Don't forget that.
     
  8. Dave1837

    Dave1837 Road Train Member

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    I had a tree branch knock my mirror off on the P/S once at my previous job and it was honestly scary to drive without it. They wanted me to drive it 1 1/2 hrs back to the shop. I ended up going on Google and finding the nearest parts store, they didn't have a mirror but they had duct tape and zip ties. I bought the biggest spot mirror they had and loaded it up with west Virginia chrome. Wasn't ideal but at least I could see beside me
     
    JolliRoger and TB John Thank this.
  9. TB John

    TB John Company Shill of BYOB & CBD

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    Zip ties, duct tape, bungee cords, don't leave home without them!
     
    88 Alpha, alds, Lonesome and 5 others Thank this.
  10. Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

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    Why would he get an attorney? The truck meets the requirement of the regulation.
     
  11. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I would "fudge" a story, something like, a cop saw me sitting on the shoulder and told me not to drive without a mirror
     
    Lonesome and Numb Thank this.
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