Accident In Personal Vehicle Before Getting CDL

Hello everyone,

I have a question as I am a current CDL student. Today I got in my first accident EVER I’ve been driving for roughly 11 years. My driving record has 0 points (pulled it today for a look). Today, on the way to trucking school, a pick up swerved into my lane and pressed his brakes. I saw it, applied my brakes while trying to merge on to the shoulder to avoid the collision and hit his bumper. My car took the brunt of the damage, his truck has a scrape on the bumper. I received a situation for not following at a safe distance, which was said to be thrown out once I proved in court that my insurance covered the damages. What I’m worried about is that now I won’t be able to find a job once I finish trucking school. Ive been asking trucker friends and they said it’s nothing to worry about but two companies who were wanting to recruit me backed out and said to wait a year before coming aboard. Any help, suggestions, or am I doomed?????

Inform the school first off. Next, get a lawyer and go to court. Sounds like the other guy's fault.

Inform the school first off. Next, get a lawyer and go to court. Sounds like the other guy's fault.

I informed the school today. They said it didn’t sound good but told me to continue coming to school as I am in my fourth week. I will look into the lawyer scenario but where I’m from any rear end is the fault of the rear driver. It’s not fair but that’s what the trooper said 98% of the time it’s the 2nd driver who’s going to be at fault for not following at a safe distance.

The trooper is correct in that 98% of the time it is the rear vehicle’s fault. From your description your in the 2%. Based on your descrption the other vehicle made an unsafe lane change and was driving too fast for existing road conditions. Sounds like you have a lazy trooper. First and foremost contact your insurance agent, tell them the facts and they should do a proper indepedant investigation. Contest the citation by all means.

A bit late for it, a dash cam is a must these days imho.

A bit late for it, a dash cam is a must these days imho.

I agree. I have a go pro sitting in my closet now that is not being used. As soon as I get my new car I’m installing it.

Chris, this may come across as harsh, but I come from the truth. The ol "the other guy swerved in my lane and hit the brakes" story is as old as driving itself. I'm not doubting you, just stating a fact.

While you may be telling the complete truth, insurance companies and trucking companies aren't going to look at it that way. They've heard the same story thousands of times before. What they really see is a distracted driver and a rear end collection. Nothing more, nothing less.

Truth is, the scenario you described happens all the time out here. As a driver, you have to learn to expect it. As a professional driver, you have to be extra cautious because I assure you, people will cut you off every single day. Guess what, it'll still be your fault. If you want to be in control of an 80k lb death machine, you'll have to come to expect it, and be on your game at every second.

With that said, you're not going to look good to a trucking company, regardless of the factual circumstances. They're going to see a risk, plain and simple. You may find it difficult to land a job with that on your record. Difficult, but not impossible. At best, you won't get your choice of companies. At worst, you'll have to demonstrate a period of clean, safe driving before anyone will look at you.

Although it may not help, fighting the citation may be your only hope. Even still, you're going to have to disclose the accident to employers, at which point it's possible they'll just move on to a less risky applicant.

I'm sorry this happened to you, and wish there was more I could say to help. You have an uphill battle now. Keeping your license clean is incredibly important, even more so when you plan to drive a truck.

Sadly yes, a dash cam could have cleared this up in minutes.

Fight the citation, finish school, apply everywhere, and see how it shakes out. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

Chris, this may come across as harsh, but I come from the truth. The ol "the other guy swerved in my lane and hit the brakes" story is as old as driving itself. I'm not doubting you, just stating a fact.

While you may be telling the complete truth, insurance companies and trucking companies aren't going to look at it that way. They've heard the same story thousands of times before. What they really see is a distracted driver and a rear end collection. Nothing more, nothing less.

Truth is, the scenario you described happens all the time out here. As a driver, you have to learn to expect it. As a professional driver, you have to be extra cautious because I assure you, people will cut you off every single day. Guess what, it'll still be your fault. If you want to be in control of an 80k lb death machine, you'll have to come to expect it, and be on your game at every second.

With that said, you're not going to look good to a trucking company, regardless of the factual circumstances. They're going to see a risk, plain and simple. You may find it difficult to land a job with that on your record. Difficult, but not impossible. At best, you won't get your choice of companies. At worst, you'll have to demonstrate a period of clean, safe driving before anyone will look at you.

Although it may not help, fighting the citation may be your only hope. Even still, you're going to have to disclose the accident to employers, at which point it's possible they'll just move on to a less risky applicant.

I'm sorry this happened to you, and wish there was more I could say to help. You have an uphill battle now. Keeping your license clean is incredibly important, even more so when you plan to drive a truck.

Sadly yes, a dash cam could have cleared this up in minutes.

Fight the citation, finish school, apply everywhere, and see how it shakes out. Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

I know, I hated even explaining the accident because it’s all too typical. Sad to say but it’s the honest truth. I appreciate the honesty! I’m just hoping for the best and expecting the worst. This couldn’t have come at a worse time. Hopefully it works out in the best way possible. Thank you for your response.