Jack knife accident

[eclardy]

Was just in a jack knife accident last night. I have been driving for this company for over 2 years and this is the first time anything like this has happened. I was not speeding and was not ticketed at all. Trailer was not damaged and the truck needs some repairs but was not totaled. I have spoken to our safety director and she says she doesn't think there is a reason to worry about my job. My question is if I really should be worried about my job? Advice anyone?

[aftershock]

Originally Posted by eclardy

Was just in a jack knife accident last night. I have been driving for this company for over 2 years and this is the first time anything like this has happened. I was not speeding and was not ticketed at all. Trailer was not damaged and the truck needs some repairs but was not totaled. I have spoken to our safety director and she says she doesn't think there is a reason to worry about my job. My question is if I really should be worried about my job? Advice anyone?

Sorry to hear about your roll-over incident. Are you OK? I can only imagine what an ordeal like that must feel like.

You mentioned that you weren't speeding and didn't receive a citation, but no other description or explanation as to what led up to the end result. Assuming everything was goin' along fine and all of a sudden something unforeseen and out of your control occurred, --- and not knowing your company's and/or their insurance carrier's policy concerning roll-overs, --- again assuming there isn't an automatic termination for a roll-over regardless of who was at fault, my advice is to not worry, but I'm aware that's easier said than done. Worrying won't help the situation and could lead to additional stress that you don't need.

However, I think you need to be concerned. Roll-overs rate pretty high on the things to avoid doin' list. With some companies a roll-over is cause for immediate dismissal. Some companies take conditions and circumstances into consideration. If you haven't already inquired as to the company's policy that's where you need to start. It's possible that you have nothing to worry about. If the news is not so good, all your worrying won't change a thing.

If you've managed to keep your CDL-A clean, no citations or minor incidents on record and your DAC appears un-dinged, that may sway a decision from not so good to much better. Any citations for speeding, reckless driving, tailgating, etc. could cause those making decisions to think you're a liability, --- a crash lookin' for a place to happen, whereas a clean record would probably indicate the opposite.
I'm sure you'll be informed about what course of action is decided on within a day or two after the decision makers do what they do. I wouldn't hesitate to give your safety director a call to air your concerns. The sooner you know your fate with the company the sooner you can stop worrying and shift your concern to the future and put this unfortunate incident behind you.

Call it a hunch, but I'm thinkin' that you're not real anxious to roll another one. If I were the safety honcho doin' the revue, and your record was such that it didn't indicate you're a hot-headed Big truck truck driver, I'd tend to think your experience will have taught you how badly you don't wanna do that again, and you'd be extra cautious to avoid a repeat.
If anyone unfamiliar with what it's like asks, "how bad can it be"? --- your answer could provide incentive for them --- and others --- to remember and adjust their driving accordingly to avoid first hand knowledge.

I hope everything works out in your favor, and I hope you'll keep us informed and inform others of what to expect post roll-over.
ThanX for posting, and welcome to Layover.
Good luck!

[bigjoe]

How ya doing, Aftershock...old buddy! I miss certain details too and it ain't no shame.

However our new poster said he had a jackknife incident instead of a rollover. Not as serious as a rollover but still serious.

My take on this is if you have been driving safely for this company for 2 years and most of all the fact that your safety director has already said you shouldn't be concerned about losing your job...I wouldn't worry.[ They will likely need to call you to a safety review board however to get all the facts in order. I'm certain you have already gave a statement to your safety dept. but they still like to have a sit down and iron things out./ Just to go over your statement and make sure nothing was left out. So to say what your safety director said she must be fairly satisfied with your statement and your record with this company.

I am curious however...was the road surface wet? A jackknife is more probable on a wet surface than dry.

[aftershock]

Originally Posted by bigjoe

How ya doing, Aftershock...old buddy! I miss certain details too and it ain't no shame.

However our new poster said he had a jackknife incident instead of a rollover. Not as serious as a rollover but still serious.

You're correct Big Joe.
What was I thinkin'?
I sit corrected and thank you for catchin' my error.
And my apologies to the OP for any unnecessary drama I mighta caused.
Unless you were hysterical and the safety director was just tellin' ya stuff
that ain't twue to calm ya down, you'll probably still be drivin' a Big truck for
that company when you reach a million miles.
So .....................................

Don't worry ----
Be HappY.

[juno_hoo]

Originally Posted by eclardy

Was just in a jack knife accident last night. I have been driving for this company for over 2 years and this is the first time anything like this has happened. I was not speeding and was not ticketed at all. Trailer was not damaged and the truck needs some repairs but was not totaled. I have spoken to our safety director and she says she doesn't think there is a reason to worry about my job. My question is if I really should be worried about my job? Advice anyone?

Why worry? What happens is out of your hands and you'll have time to worry if you get canned. For the time being, think positive take things day by day.

We wish you luck.