Incident or accident...?
 

A driver is attempting to deliver at a customer and accidentally grazes a pole - resulting in the bottom hinges being knocked off the trailer door (he reports this to his co as he should). Is this a DOT accident or an incident? :? :?

Will it haunt him in reference to driving record?

Probably be reported as a Chargeable Preventable.

Chargeable and preventable, but it's a minor incident. As long as you don't have a long history of incidents, it shouldn't be a big issue to overcome.

Incident or Accident
 

DOT won't care about it, the driver's employer and the pole's owner may care. Concur with preventable. BOL

I got stuck in the mud at a customer some will charge that as a preventable incident.
One time my trailer door came off the latch swung out and got lodged in the ground as i was backing to the in-ground dock they said it was my fault apparently I schould of been psychic foreseeing the door swinging out. I got a nice raise after complaining about that bs.
Some carriers will also deduct the expense of incidences off your Bonuses.
Most carriers also have an appeals process use them wisely.

minor incident as long as it is not a habit

I believe it would only be considered a DOT accident if theres another vehicle envolved (?)

The main qualifications for a DOT reportable accident is that the accident must take place on a public roadway, and one or more of the vehicles must require towing. AFAIK.