New Driver, Got Into An Accident And Need A New Job

As the title states I recently acquired my CDL A in December, and started driving for PAM Transport. I got into an accident, was found at fault and was terminated for said accident. I am having some trouble finding a new company, as all my phone calls are usually met with a "No" in some form or another. Would any of you all know of any midwestern based companies that would hire consider hiring me or anything I can do to increase my chances of being hired anywhere? I'd rather after not all the trouble I went through to get my CDL, have to go to a different career path. Any advice?

Apply everywhere. This is a good starting point: jobs page. I don't mean to contradict myself, but your chances are going to be slim; don't get discouraged, just keep applying. You didn't go into detail about your accident, and that's okay, but if/when a company contacts you, be humble, 100% honest, and own everything about your at-fault accident. My last piece of advice is this: go to Craigslist, zero in on whatever cities in the Midwest where you are able to work out of, and search the "transportation" jobs in those cities for CDL jobs. This is a bit risky, as many of these companies are going to be short on or lacking resources (assets, mechanics, benefits, equipment, etc.), but it might get you behind the wheel again, where after a year or three of spotless, clean driving, the doors closed to you now may open up again. Best of luck to you.

Try Paschall Truck Lines

Apply everywhere. This is a good starting point: jobs page. I don't mean to contradict myself, but your chances are going to be slim; don't get discouraged, just keep applying. You didn't go into detail about your accident, and that's okay, but if/when a company contacts you, be humble, 100% honest, and own everything about your at-fault accident. My last piece of advice is this: go to Craigslist, zero in on whatever cities in the Midwest where you are able to work out of, and search the "transportation" jobs in those cities for CDL jobs. This is a bit risky, as many of these companies are going to be short on or lacking resources (assets, mechanics, benefits, equipment, etc.), but it might get you behind the wheel again, where after a year or three of spotless, clean driving, the doors closed to you now may open up again. Best of luck to you.

Thanks for the help! The accident wasn't all too bad in my opinion but it had to be towed because of a puncture coolant line. I basically hit a guys tandems on his trailer with my bumper somewhat lightly and he had to damage rims/tires, and I lost a bumper, dented the grill, and punctured/bent the coolant line as stated before. I was also written a citation for "failing to yield a stop" if that also helps anyone else that opens this forum to help me.

Albert, you think all that damage “wasn’t all too bad in [your] opinion”?

With that thinking you probably won’t get another job and maybe that will make us all safer.

Please adjust your opinion of what is bad and what is not because your accident was no trivial thing.

Holy crow. ,"Not that bad?!?!"

Look, a SCRATCH, while still an incident, is "not that bad."

I ripped off a trailer door, which I categorized as "pretty dang bad."

What you describe? That's a pretty big deal. You minimizing it isn't doing you any favors.

That’s pretty good damage there sir. But the citation will be your bigger hurdle.

Apply everywhere and anywhere and see if someone will give you a shot. That’s about your only option at this point.

Holy crow. ,"Not that bad?!?!"

Look, a SCRATCH, while still an incident, is "not that bad."

I ripped off a trailer door, which I categorized as "pretty dang bad."

What you describe? That's a pretty big deal. You minimizing it isn't doing you any favors.

Ah, well I was under the assumption that "bad damage" would be something like frame damage or ripping entire sections of a truck off. I appreciate you opening my eyes a little more and will take this into consideration.

And yeah I've been calling everywhere, to avail. Been honest with all of them and a lot are saying it needs to be at least a year after the accident.

Albert, you could try to get a local type B job while you wait it out. That would keep your license in use and keep your head in the game in the meantime. Good luck, you can recover from this and learn from it.

Ah, well I was under the assumption that "bad damage" would be something like frame damage or ripping entire sections of a truck off. I appreciate you opening my eyes a little more and will take this into consideration.

And yeah I've been calling everywhere, to avail. Been honest with all of them and a lot are saying it needs to be at least a year after the accident.

Because you are new, you dont understand the costs involved. New tire? $1000. New rim? $1500+. Tow? Could be $700+ Deer guard? $600. Bumper? $1500 plus paint. Grill? $1000 or more.

Of course these include new parts and installation prices. After market would be cheaper but not likely to prevent loss of warranty.

Mega carriers are usually self insured but still.. that wasnt slight in any way. But i knocked an axle off a trailer my first 30 days out.