Minor Incident

Yesterday I was making a tight right turn in Chicago and the trailer tail swung out and busted a mirror off of the guys car. No other damage. I had no idea it had happen until the driver pulled up next to me a 1/2 mile down the road. I pulled over immediately, and the cops were already behind us. I was not issued a ticket but the insurance companies are involved. How will this affect me? Will it be on my record? Thanks in advance.

Although you didn't mention it, I assume you called this into your company. You definitely need to report it to safety or whoever it is that you report to at your company. That is considered a preventable accident, and your company will definitely put it on some sort of internal record. Once you decide to leave the company you might as well be prepared for it to go on you DAC , but don't let that stress you too much. If there are no tickets, then it will not be on a DMV record, but when these trucking companies look up background records for accidents and such as that, it is my understanding that many of them access records of insurance claims also. It is minor, and there is nothing you can do about it at this point.

You will have to mark it up as a lesson learned. Places like Chicago have got some really tight places requiring a lot of extra care when maneuvering a big rig. You have got to go into hyper-awareness when in a place like that.

Most companies allow for a minor fender bender every once in a while. You may catch some Safety Office heat, but you'll still have a job.

Here's an old proverb I just made up:

The first time a baby burns their fingers they learn about "hot".

I'm sure the next time, and all the next times afterward that you make tight turns you'll be conscious of all four corners of your trailer as you make that turn. Be sure your recent experience is a learning event for you.

The first time a baby burns their fingers they learn about "hot".

Boy that's the truth. As a teenager eons ago I drove a 40ft long crane truck that had a huge rear end overhang. Taking a turn one day the tail grazed the truck next to me. Thankfully it was an old flatbed or something so they really didn't care about one more dent. But I never forgot the lesson I learned that day about tail swing.

Thanks everyone. I did report it to my company immediately, and just went and talked to my boss about it. It's a small time mom and pop company. (25 drivers). They are understanding in these situations as long as your honest. I'm also more than willing to pay for the repairs. The places we put these trucks to make deliveries is outrageous. In and out of Chicago ally ways all day with a day cab and 48ft reefer. I've been doing it for a year and a half now. You live and you learn I guess.

I clipped a mirror on anothet one of our trucks yesterday, too. We were both at a delivery with a tight lot. Tight! I had my tandems all the way forward to make the wiggle to get out of there. I misjudged my exit and clipped my buddy on my left. Had to pay for the mirror cover ($250) and the company put it on my DAC as a Preventable Accident.... I was more than displeased over that. Lesson learned.