I Hit A Dog Tonight

So I've been driving a truck for Swift since June, I know "Swift" smh, lol. Anyways, I was on a state route going 60 when this huge dog literally ran in front of my truck, I hit my brakes, but quickly remembered what they told me in school, so I had to hit him. I'm super upset over this, I wish he would've run just a bit faster, half of my bumper is also gone. I assume this is a common thing right? Like if I go to apply at another company a year from now it won't just show up as an accident?

It might, but it should show up as a NONPREVENTABLE accident, if it does. Just like deer strikes.

Dave

Hitting a dog isn't an accident, it's an incident. Huge difference. No it probably won't show up on your record, this is common stuff. But do inform your company about it so they'll know where the truck damage came from.

Geez, that sucks, poor dog. But it sounds like there was nothing you could have done. Did you have a dash-cam? If there was no police report then it will be up to Swift's insurance co whether or not they report it (just my opinion)

That's a huge bummer. Anyone would be really upset over it. But there's nothing you can do. I have a friend that works at a company with about 50 trucks and they just had a driver with a ton of experience try to swerve to avoid a deer and rolled the truck. He survived it, but the truck and trailer and load did not.

All you can do it put it out of your mind and move forward.

No police report, cops actually didn't seem to care, animal control or someone else removed the dog and that was that. I reported to swift and they simply asked for pictures and ordered me a new side piece and fog light.

Lucky the only damage was to the truck and you didn't roll it like the guy in Brett's example. Trucks will always win fights like these unless the driver panics. It's the motorcyclists who really have to watch for animals on the road (and I don't mean other drivers!) :) All the best and keep the shiny side up!

Hitting a dog isn't an accident, it's an incident. Huge difference. No it probably won't show up on your record, this is common stuff. But do inform your company about it so they'll know where the truck damage came from.

What's the difference? It is NOT a DOT Reportable accident, but I don't know how Swift reports these things on a driver's DAC.

I drove for Navajo, and they write down Deer strikes as a NONPREVENTABLE accident. A dog strike would probably be written down the same way.

Dave

I hit a deer last week right outside st. Louis big buck too almost missed him but the poor fellow freaked and try to turn and go back which put him in front of my truck. Jacked the deer guard and a piece of the bumper, broke the on guard for the cruise.

Anyways prime had me fill out an accident report call safety where they asked me if I slammed on the brakes or swerved did I damage the freight, is the truck drivable etc etc.

They told me its an act of God, and not to worry about it they would rather me hit it then get hurt trying to dodge it.

I have no clue how it would show up on my record I'm not even sure how to look but going on what they told me and their attitude its no big deal to them.

Unless you slam on the brakes and cause an accident, hitting an animal should not be considered a reportable event. What is the recommended driving tip to do in such a case? Try to slow down if possible, if not hit the poor thing? … that's what I would do rather than risk a more serious outcome.