Accident?

I need some advice. Here is the situation. Last night about 11:15 l pulled off I-40 in Nashville heading for the TA to meet my brother (also a trucker). My trainer was in the back sleeping (as usual), traffic is a nightmare as a football game has just ended and it's raining. I get off the ramp and work my way over to the left lane to turn. While waiting on the light, a pedestrian walks up from behind and says I've hit him and takes a picture. I'm confused and tell him to follow me in to the truck stop (1/2 block on the left) so we can file a police report, at which he runs back to his car and drives off. I called safety and let them know what happened, but now I'm concerned. Wha should I do now? What should I have done differently?

First, remember up on the driver's seat, it's really hard to notice anything that happens at the back end. Puts a little doubt in there for you.

Second with the traffic, getting to a nearby truck stop was probably the best thing, assuming both vehicles can move. If the other guy can't move, you can certainly park in the truck stop, and walk across the street (with your permit book!) to discuss.

Third, once you are parked, get out and inspect your truck for any damage caused by the accident.

Lastly, you did the right thing informing safety (CYA, you know). But the bottom line is the other driver seemed to have left the scene which puts him at a disadvantage, photograph or not.

I'd say, rest easy for the rest of the night.

Thanks Errol! I did inspect the trailer (with my trainer) and couldn't find any damage. The other guy took off (probably didn't want to risk a DUI) so hopefully this won't come back to bite me. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I meant to talk about this yesterday.

There is also a good bit of insurance fraud that targets the trucking industry. Now by a good bit I don't mean it's rampant. But I've been to company seminars where they talk about this kind of stuff and it happens from time to time.

Some examples of what you might find:

1) One vehicle will get in front of a truck and one beside the truck, pinning the truck in. Then the person in front slams on the brakes, pretty much insuring that the truck is going to run into him from behind. Takes a brave or desperate soul to try this.

2) Someone parks a banged up car near a tight turn. After a truck goes around the turn the driver claims the truck hit the car, doing the damage to it.

Now in the second scenario, one thing many of these people count on is for the truck driver to simply say, "Listen, there's only a little bit of damage. Can I pay you some cash to keep you from reporting this?" You give them a quick $100 or $200 and they move onto the next truck.

I'm not saying that's what happened here, but it may have been. The fact that the person took off when you didn't offer some quick cash makes me think he may have decided to try the next guy. There's no way he's going to get anywhere by taking pictures and fleeing the scene without getting your information and all that.

Thanks Brett. I'm just a little freaked out by this whole incident. As a rookie (in training no less) my number one goal is "don't hit anything". I want to be a safe, productive, professional driver. I'm just concerned that this may jeopardize my career before it even gets started! As a "four wheeler" I've been accident free for 40 years and ticket free for over ten. I take driving seriously and am really looking forward to this new career / adventure. Thanks for all you've done for this industry and for me by creating and maintaining this awesome site!

While you're freaked out, here's a secret: you will certainly get into a little scrape sometime in your first year. Dent a fender, bump a yellow post, take off another truck's mirror. Yes, it's an accident. Yes, is your fault. But, these minor things most probably won't get you fired. (Can't promise that, you know.)

"Everybody" knows newbies aren't 100% down on truck driving, so there's a bit of slack there for you. And you personally will become an expert on that situation - what you did, how to be better. Continue to do the best you can, and remember it probably isn't the end of your career when your boo boo happens.

Thanks Errol and Brett. I'll use this to be a better trucker....and try not to sweat the small stuff.

It is a more and more common scam, they will take a picture of your license plate than proceeded to come up to you to take your picture. What they will do is go to the local police and file a police report , armed with that , they will go see a lawyer that will contact the company and try to collect money...we see more and more truckers falling victims of such claims in insurance .... as for the box in sudden brakes that Brett was talking about.... well that did not end well for one guy in Pennsylvania (luckily they were eye witnesses that confirmed the drivers story). So when these guys do that , their lawyers send a letter to the companies requesting they turn in their limits of liability which is by law $1,000,000.00 in the hope that it my get lost in the mail. If it is not receive by the court within 30 days they win by default.

I need some advice. Here is the situation. Last night about 11:15 l pulled off I-40 in Nashville heading for the TA to meet my brother (also a trucker). My trainer was in the back sleeping (as usual), traffic is a nightmare as a football game has just ended and it's raining. I get off the ramp and work my way over to the left lane to turn. While waiting on the light, a pedestrian walks up from behind and says I've hit him and takes a picture. I'm confused and tell him to follow me in to the truck stop (1/2 block on the left) so we can file a police report, at which he runs back to his car and drives off. I called safety and let them know what happened, but now I'm concerned. Wha should I do now? What should I have done differently?