Rough Day (Update: Final Resolution)

[Stormtruck2]

This is how it ended.


This gentleman was in the right travel lane at 15 mph as I crested the hill at 62 mph  I checked my left mirror, it was clear and I changed lanes in an attempt to avoid him. I clipped the left rear corner of his three point mounted mower.  It tore a hole in my right  steer tire.



Into the median I rode.


Finally coming to a stop here.


It was a rough ride, and I was busy as hell driving trying to keep the truck from rolling.

The older gentleman drove off unhurt, and I finally got to go home.  The State Patrol Officer that investigated gave him a warning for no Slow Moving Vehicle sign, or warning lights on the tractor.  The shoulder was wide enough, more than wide enough, for him to travel down, but he chose the roadway. I was not charged with anything either, not even a warning.   Officer stated that I did all I could to avoid the crash, and a good job keeping it from rolling. 

So now I'm suspended until the company investigation is over, which will result in my termination.  ADM has a zero accident policy.  You hit something or someone, your gone.  Even with almost 4 millon safe driving miles with no chargeable accidents, and this being a non chargeable accident, I will be terminated. So on to new and different things I shall go.

[rodekyll]

The good news is nobody and no cargo was hurt.  The rest sux.  Sorry about that.

[Markcarovilli]

Man I don't know what to say and I am sure your not deserving the outcome you predict. Wishing you the best .....

Mark

[LowRyter]

well shit, Matt.  I am really sorry.  Glad you're OK.  Looks like you were pretty close to the utility pole too. 

I think the company should give you a medal.  By goodness, you can't avoid every hazard hauling a load that big.  I wouldn't give up.  If they had a zero tolerance, why would they bother to investigate?

[fotoguzzi]

Looks like you did an OUTSTANDING job of emergency driving..

[Stormtruck2]

Man I don't know what to say and I am sure your not deserving the outcome you predict. Wishing you the best .....

Mark

Yes, I may not deserve the outcome I get, but then many times in the past I didn't get the outcome I deserved.  If I did I'd either be dead or in prison.  No one was injured at all, or killed,  so I will take that outcome, over any others.  Thank you for the wishes.

[Stormtruck2]

well shit, Matt.  I am really sorry.  Glad you're OK.  Looks like you were pretty close to the utility pole too. 

I think the company should give you a medal.  By goodness, you can't avoid every hazard hauling a load that big.  I wouldn't give up.  If they had a zero tolerance, why would they bother to investigate?

They investigate in order to cover their ass following the termination. And you know me LR, I never give up. 

[Tom]

Hope all works out.

[Adk.IBO]

I'm not a fan of the litigious side of our society but seems quite harsh to me that the law was on your side....l a w y e r...time??

[Stormtruck2]

I'm not a fan of the litigious side of our society but seems quite harsh to me that the law was on your side....l a w y e r...time??

1)  The investigation is to cover their arse in case they fire me.
2) Iowa is "at will work" state, so they can fire me for any reason, or no reason.
3) Not sure I want to work there if I sued to get my job back. Retribution you know.
It is what it is, and I will survive and move on.  ADM is a great company to work for, but like any humongus international corporation, it has its ways that always in our favor.

[sdcr]

   I am glad that no one was injured or killed, and the man on the tractor should be thanking you for saving his life. Without question, your actions should not be faulted.

   As the tractor driver was cited for not having the correct warning signs affixed to his vehicle, and was traveling too slow for traffic on a highway, should this not be taken into account by ADM, in it's investigation? It seems that a reasonable mind would come to the conclusion that by your actions, you  avoided a catastrophic accident, and thus saved the company a possible high dollar lawsuit to defend.
Just my two cents .

[charlie b]

That sucks.

Companies have some weird rules like that one.

SIL works for a non-profit hospice as an RN.  If she OR her husband is convicted of a DUI she loses her job.

Hope you can find another gig.

[Stormtruck2]

   I am glad that no one was injured or killed, and the man on the tractor should be thanking you for saving his life. Without question, your actions should not be faulted.

   As the tractor driver was cited for not having the correct warning signs affixed to his vehicle, and was traveling too slow for traffic on a highway, should this not be taken into account by ADM, in it's investigation? It seems that a reasonable mind would come to the conclusion that by your actions, you  avoided a catastrophic accident, and thus saved the company a possible high dollar lawsuit to defend.
Just my two cents .

Just to be accurate, no one was cited, but the other gentleman was WARNED for not having the SMV sign or flashers on.  ADM has policies, and they don't always work in our favor.

[fotoguzzi]

what was in the tanker (if that's what you call it) ?

does the farmer buy his clothes the same place as JN Smith?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well, that sucks. You get an Attaboy for not getting anyone killed. Maybe two.  Many times, Dorcia will say "That isn't fair!" <sigh> life is like that.. and you'll overcome.

[Stormtruck2]

what was in the tanker (if that's what you call it) ?

does the farmer buy his clothes the same place as JN Smith?

Yes it is a tanker.  It holds 8,500 gallons of raw base gasoline, also called natural gas.  It is raw, has no additives, and is not legal for sale to consumers.  ADM uses it to denature ethanol so that is becomes undrinkable.  It  saves the liquor tax.

[Muzz]

Man that's tough. Hope things work out for you.

[Tom]

Is IA a union state?  If so then the same would be out here.  If there is no union for the workers then "hire at will" takes over.  Employers can  terminate an employee without cause.  The reason could be a restructure of their transportation department to get rid "truck drivers" and only have "hazmat cdl transporters" or something else like that. 

[Gliderjohn]

Great driving but possibly a sucky outcome. I would think that you would still be a easy hire at many other places.
Best of luck.
GliderJohn

[Testarossa]

ADM doesn't have a great reputation for fairness or honesty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysine_price-fixing_conspiracy

[Texas Turnip]

If ADM fires Matt, he'll get another job the same day. I politely asked my boss two months ahead of time I needed to go to the National in WV. He said he didn't think I could have the time off. I said, lookee here you college educated twit. Would you rather I ask you two months ahead of time or call in sick or no show when you have a hot load for me to haul?

Tex

[Joliet Jim]

Good luck Matt

[Sasquatch Jim]

  I agree with Testarossa,  ADM has a history of screwing employees over problems that are not their fault.
  If anything happens that could be questioned, ADM avoids the question by just terminating the employee.
  They will never entertain a thought about an employees innocence.  And they have lawyers to write their rules so that they always win.  ADM needs a MASSIVE lawsuit that they cannot win.  They were found guilty of some federal crimes a couple of decades ago but were rich enough to shrug it off.

[rocker59]

now I'm suspended until the company investigation is over, which will result in my termination.  ADM has a zero accident policy.  You hit something or someone, your gone.  Even with almost 4 millon safe driving miles with no chargeable accidents, and this being a non chargeable accident, I will be terminated. So on to new and different things I shall go.

I was afraid that would be the next news from this event.  What a bummer. 

[rocker59]

Is IA a union state? 

Over the road, long haul drivers have no union.

[rocker59]

  I agree with Testarossa,  ADM has a history of screwing employees over problems that are not their fault.
   

Fact of life in the trucking industry:  You get involved in an accident, you get fired.  No matter the fault.

[davedel44]

Sorry for your troubles, I'd think with millions of miles accident free you'd quickly for another job if they fire you.
 
Good Luck,

Dave
Galveston

[cwiseman]

Well buddy I might not clean the S*+t out of your shorts but would buy you a new pair for a great job driving!

[Tom]

Over the road, long haul drivers have no union.

He's driving for a company.  He can be union.  If they had organized and got representation.  Teamsters comes to mind.

https://teamster.org/news/2016/06/teamsters-make-history-negotiating-fedex-freight-first-time

[Stormtruck2]

He's driving for a company.  He can be union.  If they had organized and got representation.  Teamsters comes to mind.

https://teamster.org/news/2016/06/teamsters-make-history-negotiating-fedex-freight-first-time

We have two terminals that are union, Decatur IL, the home terminal, and Langhorne PA.  All our other terminals are non-union, and are paid better than the union terminals. My terminal manger and driver manager have, are defending the job I do and don't want me fired.  If I am fired, I will land some where else, trucking.  ADM is the best driving job I've ever had. Great benefits, good pay, easy to get time off, and the best terminal and driver manager I've ever worked with. .  So I would be disappointed if I lost this job, but it would not be the end of the world, or my career. Life is a series of bad things happening to good people, and their moving on to the next thing. At least I'm not dealing with having killed a man, and Lorraine is not dealing with me having been been killed. So if the only thing lost in this crash is a job, I can live with that.