First Load Went Terribly Wrong! Please Help!

Hello, So I’ve been hesitant to make a post about this because It’s embarrassing and I don’t need to leave here feeling worse than I already do about it. But, I’m desperate, so here goes nothing.

I got my CDL earlier this year, did my training with a trainer, and finally got into my own truck. On that day I got my first load, and I also had my first big accident. It wasn’t a driving accident. It was a rollaway. I got out to get the bills of lading paperwork and forgot to set the emergency brake. I know, dangerous. (First load jitters, probably.) Luckily for me no one got hurt, and the police never gave me a ticket. I DID lose my job though, but I was asked to resign so that I “could find another job” instead of being terminated. And I signed the paperwork because that sounded good to me at the time, not realizing that this accident pretty much killed my career, and I didn’t even start it yet. Needless to say, no one wants to give me a job offer (except for 1 company. They saw the accident as a fluke and managed to talk their safety team into giving me a shot. But they’re a flatbed company and i’m terrified of heights). Now that you know the backstory, here’s where I hope I can find someone that can help me answer a question, or at least point me in the right direction for a job. I recently went to the DMV , months after the accident, and requested my driver’s abstract including all my records, and it shows up clean. No accident. Nothing. Now, I know I have to tell any company the truth about any accidents, I don’t want to be a liar, but Swift told me that no one has claimed the accident yet (but couldn’t hire me because I already admitted to it.) and my driving record shows that it’s clean.

Is it possible that It won’t show up if I tell another company that I’m clean? The police did take my license and name down though. That’s why I’m confused as to why it’s not showing up on my record. I just want to figure this out before I admit it to anyone else. I’m desperate, jobless, broke. I need a way to get my foot back in the door. I just got my CDL and didn’t even start my career yet. Please help.

We can tell you this...

If there was no ticket and no damage, then there was no accident.

But, wait a minute...

It sounds like your employer was being very kind to you to ask you to resign. What we don't know is if they are putting this information on your DAC report, If they do then you have an accident you need to discuss with your next employer.

Here's my advice: You are going to have to explain why you left your first company. I guess you could tell them you got scared on your first load, panicked and decided to quit. I don't know, maybe you can come up with something better. If you tell them the absolute truth you are probably not going to get hired. Just the fact that you resigned on your first load will scare a lot of them away. I don't think your first employer is intending on putting this on your DAC. I just don't know why they would tell you to resign and then do that to you. There is no way for me to know what they intend.

Give that a try and see what happens.

You learned one valuable lesson that I hope you will never forget. Set your brakes when you exit the tractor!

Jobs

Use our link and apply with one app and see who bites. Also 2d chance companies may bite. Try Western Express, Dutch Maid Logistics (Ohio), and any you can think of. Anne will be along to suggest more.

As for not telling anyone, those can be put on your DMV records months later. I would not hide it as, if I were to do it, it would be my luck that it would show up. Honesty is always the best policy.

Laura

Unfortunately, you committed one of the "3 Rs" most all companies do not tolerate ( Roll away, Rear end and Roll over). Even if it is not on your DMV record any company will want to know why you "resigned" after the first load. Remember all these companies know how the game is played and have ways of finding "off the record" incidents.

I would suggest taking that offer or try CR England and Western Express if you havent yet.

also try here Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

Hello DirtyDeeds,

Very sad to hear of your experience. The first solo load is tough. I think of all the times I narrowly avoided disaster in my first loads. I’d say many others here could relate their close calls, perhaps only luck stood between them and losing their job.

All I know to say is that you seem to be a standup guy, so don’t give up. You may have to get another job to make ends meet until you get things sorted out. Hopefully, others here will be able to offer you encouragement.

We can tell you this...

If there was no ticket and no damage, then there was no accident.

But, wait a minute...

It sounds like your employer was being very kind to you to ask you to resign. What we don't know is if they are putting this information on your DAC report, If they do then you have an accident you need to discuss with your next employer.

Here's my advice: You are going to have to explain why you left your first company. I guess you could tell them you got scared on your first load, panicked and decided to quit. I don't know, maybe you can come up with something better. If you tell them the absolute truth you are probably not going to get hired. Just the fact that you resigned on your first load will scare a lot of them away. I don't think your first employer is intending on putting this on your DAC. I just don't know why they would tell you to resign and then do that to you. There is no way for me to know what they intend.

Give that a try and see what happens.

You learned one valuable lesson that I hope you will never forget. Set your brakes when you exit the tractor!

Hey, Old School! So, unfortunately there was some damage. I forgot to write that down. The trailer somehow swung out of the way and didn’t hit anything but the metal piece that holds the mudflap up on the back of the tractor did some damage. 4 parked cars. Luckily no one was inside them. 1 of those cars was only a scratch and a small dent, the other 1 had a decent sized dent on the side, the last two were crushed and done for.

Also, I did ask Swift to see if any accident shows up and all they said was that my previous employer only put that I resigned. They said it was on a “dashboard” or something. I’m guessing that’s what the DAC you guys are talking about is?

Also, I would love to try Western Express or CR England, but i’m afraid that once I fly out to orientation then they’ll find out about the accident and then i’d have to be sent home.

I’ve got the resignation excuse already figured out, and i’ve been helping out a buddy of mine with his moving company driving a straight truck whenever he needs help. I can assure you that I have not forgotten the emergency knob again! That thing gives me PTSD flashbacks every time I look at it.

So if it’s not on the DAC then i’m good?

Hello DirtyDeeds,

Very sad to hear of your experience. The first solo load is tough. I think of all the times I narrowly avoided disaster in my first loads. I’d say many others here could relate their close calls, perhaps only luck stood between them and losing their job.

All I know to say is that you seem to be a standup guy, so don’t give up. You may have to get another job to make ends meet until you get things sorted out. Hopefully, others here will be able to offer you encouragement.

Thank you! I appreciate the positive words! I’m trying to keep my head on straight! Lol

I'd bet money Western Express would take you even if you told them about it. I've seen them hire a felon with 9 felonies and a guy that rolled his truck at his previous company. They aren't that picky. (Or at least haven't been in the past)

Seen a few Youtube video's on Bonehead Truckers, did that exact thing, left the truck without brakes set yikes !! Glad no person was hurt !!

I was in a similar situation. Your career is absolutely not killed. Your options have narrowed down, but still there are plenty of them. Western Express is a good one, give it a try. I would suggest to be honest and tell your recruiter the whole truth. They have enough ways to find it out, so why take the risk of being a liar?