Got In An Accident And I Am Freaking Out

I was driving a newer cascadia and I did not see the car coming from my right side. Stupid side mirrors on those trucks are in a terrible spot. any way I hit the car and am currently on work comp for broken ribs. I can not say who i drive for but am i more then likely getting fired after I am cleared physically? I am terrified to lose my job as this is all i can do at my age.

If you broke some ribs, I can only assume that was a really bad wreck. You make it sound like it wasn't a big deal. I'm scratching my head.

am i more then likely getting fired after I am cleared physically?

There's no way for us to answer that. It depends on a lot of factors. Things like how productive you've proven to be. How well you communicate issues with your team. How professional you are in your relationships with customers and office staff. Are you generally a strong contributor to the overall health of the business? Do you get along well with your dispatcher?

I can tell you one attitude you need to clean up if you want to keep this job. Here it is in your own words...

Stupid side mirrors on those trucks are in a terrible spot.

PLEASE, don't say that to anyone at your company. If anyone in safety catches wind of that, you're gone for sure. Accidents happen. As drivers we have to own them and learn from them. Laying blame on the truck manufacturer or the ridiculous four wheelers is unacceptable.

It's a hard thing to accept, but you made a very common mistake. Hitting a car while making a right hand lane change is one of the most common trucking accidents. You have to realize you didn't check the mirrors well enough. You missed something that was obviously (in hind's sight) in your path. Acknowledge that and explain to anyone asking about it how you plan on handling this scenario differently next time.

Be prepared to show what you learned. That's how you might keep this job. Be careful in your response. Make sure you can explain how you realize your mistake, and have a clear plan laid out to show you now understand how to keep this from happening again.

Good luck brother! Don't take my comments as critical. They aren't intended to be. I know how these things usually play out. You can make them really want to fire you, or you can make them have second thoughts about it. The ball is definitely in your court.

Oh no i would never place blame as it is completely my fault. I was crossing an intersection from a stop and the right mirror obscured the car from my view. I even did as i call the '"rock" (i rock back and forth to look around the mirror before and during the move) and still did not see the car. I am very much angry at myself for this and struggling to keep that anger inside. The wreck wasn't real bad but I am skinny and there are no arm rests on the left side of the seat so i slid left and hit the inside of the truck and broke three ribs. I had my seat belt on. I just have a family that depends on me and this is my first accident after 8 years of driving.

Then i wouldnt be worried. First accident with 8 years? We all do stupid crap. If u get fired, you will get hired somewhere.

Then i wouldnt be worried. First accident with 8 years? We all do stupid crap. If u get fired, you will get hired somewhere.

Kearney, you always have a great perspective. When I read about experiences like this, the quote often comes to my mind: “There, but for the Grace of God, go I.”

Sometimes it is hard to see what is coming from the right side. Certain intersections and angles are not set up for good visibility from the right. This experience reinforces the danger posed by limited sight at certain places. I’m glad the accident wasn’t worse and I hope Jeremy keeps his job. He sounds like a conscientious guy.

Dang autocorrect. It always changes Kersey to Kersey

Except that time, of course. It’s Kersey, not Kearney.