First accident
 

First off I'm a total newbie :roll:

In trying to set up for a dock back, I ran over a concrete barrier with the trailer damaging some of the cross members - managed to get it off the barrier and completed the dock and unload.

The trailer is cosmetically damaged - but fully functional. The consignee's property is not damaged and they neglected to even take a report. I reported it to my company and expect to have a determination of fault made against me.

It was my mistake and in hindsight I realize what I did wrong and what to do in the future to avoid a repeat.

Since this was a "preventable" accident (isn't that a contradiction)

Does the company report this accident on my DAC?

If they do report it - how would I know?

If it is reported - is there anyway for me to enter my side of the incident?

Thanks for any and all responses.

most but not all companies will put it on your dac. Care to say who your driving for? If its one of the bigger companies I would most certainly count on it.

there is a way you can post a rebuttal - i think you have to call DAC and speak with someone there.

as far as the information they place on your dac - that depends. some companines only list the # of preventable and non-preventable accidents, some put more info. if they do put more info, it may look like this (this is a hypothetical, i'm making up the actual info but the style and categories are straight from a DAC sitting on my desk right now)

Accident/Incedent # 1
Date: 4/25/2005
DOT Recordable: No
City, State: Tulsa, OK
Injuries: 0
Fatalities: 0
HAZMAT: No
Description: Backing
Preventable Accident/Incedent


Also, I don't see how a preventable accident is a contradiction. If you were driving along, and a giant elephant fell out of the sky 3 ft in front of your tractor, and you hit it - that would be nonpreventable. it wasn't your fault, and you didn't have adequate time to stop before you had tusks thru your windshield. however, if there was an elephant behind you, it was stationary, and you backed into it - it's preventable. it was what YOU were doing in the truck at the time of the accident that determines a preventable or non preventable accident (right? that makes sense to me anyway).

The accident will probably not be reported to DAC unless and until you leave the company. If you are terminated, they will most likely put it on your DAC. DAC comes under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and you can put a letter into your file. I would not do anything until you know for sure that it is in your file. Your safety department or dispatcher would be the first place to start. They are the ones who would probably be reporting your record. 8)

yes, i think so... :)

Companies do not update DAC files until an employee quits or is fired, and that is assuming the company your work for reports to DAC. Not all companies do.

Regardless if your company reports to DAC your work history you can pretty much count on it being entered into your work file as a preventable accident.
If the company is honest they will probably enter it as something like:

Non DOT reportable accident on (date). Struck stationary object while backing.

If that is all they put in your file I would not bother with placing any type of rebuttal in your DAC file. Just list the date of the accident and a brief description like "backing" and preventable on your application(s) when/if you apply for another driving job somewhere and then if asked about it give your side of the story.

If this ends up being your only accident then it should do you no harm what so ever so long as you do not try to cover it up.

rookie mistake can happen to anyone but now you know to get out and look. To take your time even if it seems clear. As long as you dont have anymore accidents and are honest if you apply for another company it should not hurt your driving career in anyway. Be safe

Truck driving-esp. backing is all about taking a good look while setting up for a maneuver and then going by memory if theres something in your path or not and what line you have to take to get it in there...Just keep checking your mirrors tomake sure nothing gets in the way and to check your tragectory by the points of reference you took note of while setting up.
GOAL is for people with bad memories or no 3d thinking skills...and of course if you get the feeling youre getting close to something.

I say this because getting a barrier tall enough to damage crossmembers signifies a big miscalculation. Keep an eye on those crossmembers, esp. with a heavy load and while the forklift is running over them. Have them fixed asap, they are a dot violation.

Johnathan,

I do not know if you read the May Company Trucking thread at all, but my husband had an accident the first solo trip out. If you are a newbie you can go and read what happend to him and prevent making that mistake there were some very good tips and pointer on the thread over there.

I do not know about your question regarding DAC! I am pretty certain my husbands will go on the DAC as he took out a tree and a light.

Goin FEr It's Wife

DAC
 

What does DAC actually stand for? I asked my instructor at cdl school and she didn't know.