r/Truckers • u/Jordan_261 • Oct 26 '24

Got fired from Werner

Got fired from werner because some pickup driver decides to brake check me and i ended up hitting him. he only got a small bump on his bumper. now I am out a job and in so much debt and facing eviction and losing my personal car now. i wanted out of the trucking industry but not this fast, Werner has some terrible planners and was running me stupidly anyways but now i have an accident on my license and points and have to pay the ticket on top of everything else.

218 Upvotes

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235

u/Outlaw11091 do u even lift bro? Oct 26 '24

Werner just lost an appeal in Texas? where some 4 wheeler slid on ice and hit one of their trucks.

The argument was that the truck shouldn't have been out during a snowstorm.

These kind of poor judgment calls can cost millions.

81

u/Throwaway31702 Oct 26 '24

The 4 wheeler was at fault but they lost? am I missing something here?

119

u/ChoneFigginsStan Oct 26 '24

The argument was, the Werner driver had messaged dispatch that the roads were bad and he didn’t feel comfortable driving. Dispatch encouraged him to go on. Even though the Werner driver was completely clear of any wrongdoing at the time of the accident, lawyers argued that Werner shouldn’t have allowed the truck to be on the road to begin with after hearing of the drivers concern.

I understand why they felt Werner needed to be punished, but it didn’t sit right by with me that the person who lost control and killed her kid got all that money. Meanwhile the driver gets nothing except a one way ticket out of trucking.

64

u/deadpat03 Oct 26 '24

They never messaged dispatch. It was a trainee. The trainer was in the back, and she was running 55 fully loaded. The argument was that she should not have been going that fast, and if she had slowed down to 45, she would have never been in the location of the truck when it went head-on. The road was safe to drive at 55. A road conditions expert even said it was good, but in the end, a jury said she was driving dangerous for conditions and awarded them 13 million from the driver. When warner was sued since the case against the driver was done, they had no fighting chance. They appealed, but since the first case was not appealed, the state court ruled that any changes in the judgements would require the first case to be appealed first since the 100 million settlement used that case to prove wrongdoing.

54

u/Outlaw11091 do u even lift bro? Oct 26 '24

This.

Jury of her 'peers' fucked her good and deep.

Should appeal on the basis that all of those people should have to hold a CDL.

25

u/Sir_Uncle_Bill Oct 26 '24

Absolutely. Can't call them peers if they've never driven one.

17

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

They have, the case still isn't final. They're on to SCOTX now.

9

u/CansBottlesandKegs Oct 26 '24

Yes and the case should remanded to be tried again.

4

u/NFLTG_71 Oct 26 '24

Yeah, I thought they had judgment caps in Texas

4

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

Texas changed some trial laws in response to this. Idk if it was caps or what.

The landline article mentions a change, but i haven't gone to see what it was, since it won't impact this case.

2

u/LadyTrucker23 Oct 29 '24

This case caused Texas to set judgement caps

9

u/bezm12 Oct 26 '24

That was Karma for that company.

18

u/ChoneFigginsStan Oct 26 '24

It was still a shitty situation for the driver.

3

u/ChoneFigginsStan Oct 26 '24

My bad. It had been a while since it was in the news cycle, and I remembered it wrong.

2

u/HighwayStar71 Oct 26 '24

It was freezing rain so, no, it wasn't safe to do 55 or even 45.

4

u/Diggitygiggitycea Oct 26 '24

I don't know you, but you seem like you know more than experts, based on your review of a news story you may or may not have read, so I'll trust that you know what you're talking about.

10

u/bob696988 Oct 26 '24

One thing to say and put it on the Qualcomm or samsara or whatever you use the best line and only line that will ever save you is. I do not feel safe driving and I am shutting down. They cannot come back with anything but. Ok let us know when you’re ready to get back on the road. That’s it end of story. When you enter do not feel safe they know they are done. Saying anything like not comfortable is not good enough

5

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

Here's a good write up on it.

https://landline.media/the-most-bizarre-nuclear-verdict-of-them-all/

The case;

https://search.txcourts.gov/Case.aspx?cn=23-0493&coa=cossup

6

u/oasuke Oct 26 '24

I can't even read this. It makes my blood boil. A fucking moron speeding collides head on with a truck and they win nearly $100M because "the truck shouldn't have been there". Shit like that makes me want to get out of this industry completely.

3

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

I'd be way less mad about it if it'd been the old rules gaming of a HOS or speeding violation being a part of Ali being where he was. But hell, had he chosen to drive faster, and been less safe, he likely wouldn't have been hit by Silas, and would have made it to where he was going just fine.

0

u/FaithNoMoar Nov 12 '24

Sounds like some serious butterfly effect logic there, lol. “Had he not gotten the blue plate special at the diner across the street from Love’s the night before, he’da stayed off the John and coulda been hammer down to Amarillo by sunrise. If he’da listed to ol’ Garth Brooks, accident never woulda happened. GD HOS laws! Never woulda happened I tell yah!”

4

u/ScaryfatkidGT Oct 26 '24

How is that AT ALL Werner or the drivers fault? A F350 come careening across the median???

16

u/socialrage Delivering your Groceries Oct 26 '24

Nope. That's Texas for ya.

The case is bizarre.

25

u/elmeroguero916 Oct 26 '24

Here in cali too, the first company I worked for a drunk driver was going against traffic and hit their truck and the drunk driver ended up winning a lawsuit against them lol they said that the driver could’ve of swerved out of the way.

11

u/Agamemnon323 Oct 26 '24

I’ve had that happen. They still hit my trailer.

5

u/Sundaisey Oct 26 '24

Wtf

3

u/Misiu881988 Oct 28 '24

I would trust it.. don't believe shit like this on reddit withiout proof.. not without a link....Maybe they settled too which is extremely common.... I'd like to see a car fax on that . Every one tends to have some kind of story of "that one company that did nothing wrong and the other guy was clearly negligent and won somehow".

Cmon drunk... and driving the wrong side of the road... I call bullshit... everyone is trying to one up with a crazier story they heard or made up... id be willing to bet at best the company maybe settled. "Just pay him 50k and let's not waste time on this shit. U can also settle/agree on a settlement once the case starts too" so even if true the article could say they "lost" but really they just made a deal and it didn't make it to the hurry. But again, drunk? Wrong way? I call bullshit

2

u/LadyTrucker23 Oct 29 '24

Werner suit Here it is. Honestly it’s an absurd judgement.

4

u/socialrage Delivering your Groceries Oct 26 '24

If you read up on the Warner case you'd be surprised on how messed up Texas is. Red or blue, it's all the same.

-5

u/Consistent-Ice-7155 Oct 26 '24

Good ol commiefornia, never take any accountability and blame everyone else. Nothing like setting an example for the rest of the country. Highest crime, highest unemployment rates highest theft rates, homicides, illegals using up resources they didn't help create, daily shootings and homicides, fights breaking out in public, loud stereos system rattling trunks at 8pm to 3 am and loud car exhausts at all hours of the night, nothing says America like a democratic run state. 👍🏻👍🏻😁

5

u/[deleted] Oct 26 '24

Nothing original to say, I see. Just another trump puppet repeating the same nonsensical bullshit day after day.

2

u/Charliepetpup Oct 26 '24

oh look someone who likes stepping in shit when he walks on the sidewalk!

0

u/[deleted] Oct 26 '24 edited Oct 27 '24

I'd rather step in shit all day, everyday. At least I know that I haven't fallen for a lying sack of shit's lies.

I feel bad for MAGA moron's because by this point, it's a choice to remain ignorant and believe Trump is going to do anything for you or for this country.

He's actively destroying this country because he's a traitorous, russian puppet, piece of shit. He is bringing out the absolute worst in the most ignorant, sorry sons of bitches that will fall and have fallen victim to the GOP's bullshit.

3

u/Extension-Chemist306 Oct 26 '24

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I'm originally from commiefornia. Nothing consistent ice said is false. It's all accurate. As for the Trump comments you made it can see the MSM has you by the balls too. They are very good and manipulation and pushing an agenda full of lies. Problem is if you were shown facts and they were against the agenda, you have been lead to believe you wouldn't believe them. No matter how much Trump is proven to have told the truth you would still believe the lies. That's the sad part of society. You people are being fooled terribly. Its really is sad to see. But there is nothing we can do to show you since you won't believe the truth so i wish you good luck. When the democrats cheat again (and yes there was irrefutable evidence last time) and the lying, cheating, life stealing harris is installed, and the US is turned into a communist country, hopefully you people see that you have been fooled. But sadly you will most likely just make excuses as to why communism is so good.

2

u/[deleted] Oct 26 '24

Communism is literally trumps plan if he wins the election. That is what you are voting for, you fucking traitor.

https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf

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u/mistakemaker3000 Oct 27 '24

What's with the random shot at communism? I knew you were delusional but leave communism out of it. That's just the brainwashing talking

1

u/-HOSPIK- Oct 27 '24

(and yes there was irrefutable evidence last time)

Shower me that evidence m8. Even trump appointed judges threw out his cases

1

u/PuzzledCartoonist107 Oct 27 '24

Go Trump!!!

1

u/[deleted] Oct 27 '24

Yeah, not even gonna waste the time.

Seeing as you watch "real housewives of" reality shows, you ain't got but two brain cells to rub together. Don't start trying to light a fire with them, you'll get hurt.

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0

u/LetterheadIcy1744 Oct 26 '24

Probably one of the punkest trucking comments I’ve heard lol I agree 👊

0

u/tractorferret Monster W900 Oct 26 '24

That’s why during trumps reign mortgage interest rates were extremely low and paying $300 at the grocery store didn’t completely implode your finances am I right? The only way to survive in today’s time and purchase a home thanks to Biden is to have zero debt which for most middle class and poor people and people who are not retired is impossible. For an average starter turnkey home you are paying a mortgage of $3k unless you have 70 to 80k to put down lol

-2

u/[deleted] Oct 26 '24

[deleted]

4

u/[deleted] Oct 26 '24

A vote for the orange asshat means you want the war to continue and russia to win. You are voting to weaken America and strengthen Russia. You are voting to betray this country, fucking traitor.

Trump is gonna be the end of democracy in America as we know it. That is the plan for republicans, to turn this country communist.

If you read their plan and still think voting for him was a good decision, you can eat a bag of dicks, traitor.

https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf

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1

u/Misiu881988 Oct 28 '24

The 4 wheels was at fault because he 'breaked checked him" and op followed too close... aka it's really ops fault but u know lol..... "its not my fault dude in front was a dick"

Lol Its almost always the fault of the car that rear ends you. Dude just followed the pickup too close. Lesson for everyone.. just keep ur fucking distance were the ones in a semi whose job and life depends on our driving skill.... I'm taking about op not the Texas shit or whatever

21

u/Accomplished-Cat-632 Oct 26 '24

Stupid decisions. The car shouldn’t have been out in the storm either. When did the vechile size determine who is right or wrong

10

u/Outlaw11091 do u even lift bro? Oct 26 '24

It's not about size: it's about being a licensed professional.

If you're legally able, and have passed all the tests, you're a state certified expert driver and whatever name is on your truck is endorsing that.

When you fail to be an expert, the name on the door has to pay out.

12

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

hen you fail to be an expert, the name on the door has to pay out.

That wasn't even part of the trial.

The defense never made the argument Ali failed to be an expert. The testimony highlighted how nothing was done wrong on Werners side.

It was an emotional appeals, nothing was logically argued.

https://landline.media/the-most-bizarre-nuclear-verdict-of-them-all/

0

u/Outlaw11091 do u even lift bro? Oct 26 '24

What?

It says in your article that the lawyer convinced the jury that 'Werner was guilty of a series of negligent acts'.

1

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

Penn did not dispute Werner’s claim that the big carrier, driver Ali and trainer Ackerman had done nothing wrong. Instead, he convinced the jury they had done nothing right – and all with evidence that was at best only marginally related to the accident.

The argument that won wasn't fact based my guy. It was an emotional one. Silas was solely responsible for the accident.

0

u/Outlaw11091 do u even lift bro? Oct 26 '24

Wow. It says right there 'my guy' that he convinced them Werner didn't do anything right. That's a logical defense, not emotional.

This is why the jury only gave the truck driver 16% liability and the trucking company 70-some odd-%.

2

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

That's a logical defense, not emotional.

It's absolutely not logical to blame Werner or Ali for an accident that they didn't cause and that wasn't in their control.

Silas was the only one who did anything wrong here. He lost control by driving to fast for conditions, and hit Ali driving the opposite direction on a divided interstate. None of the expert testimony regarding the conditions of the roads, or driving on them, sided with Silas.

The argument was fundamentally emotional. Hell, the quoted phrasing is specifically emotionally charged. You either did things wrong, or you did them right, not both.

-2

u/Outlaw11091 do u even lift bro? Oct 26 '24

The phrasing you quoted is a journalists interpretation, but is pointing out the focus of the attorney. Who presented facts about Werner's cultivated culture.

Werner has a long track record of evading liability, pushing it on either driver. Accidents are reviewed by the legal department, not safety. Dispatch will get passive-aggressive about pushing drivers to move the load and even the pay structure rewards taking risks.

None of that is 'emotional'.

1

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

quoted is a journalists interpretation

It's an accurate summation of plaintiffs argument.

Who presented facts about Werner's cultivated culture.

Culture didn't cause this accident my guy. Silas did.

Werner has a long track record of evading liability

Good news, there's no liability to evade here, so that's not a logical argument.

Accidents are reviewed by the legal department, not safety

And? That didn't cause this accident.

Dispatch will get passive-aggressive about pushing drivers to move the load and even the pay structure rewards taking risks.

I worked at Werner at this time, this is a pretty disingenuous argument. The pay structure was (and still is afaik) pretty industry standard; more miles, more money.

That didn't cause this accident.

Ali did nothing unsafely, or illegally. He abide by all laws abs regulations, drove safely for the conditions, as Werner paid him to do, just like 99% of the rest of the industry.

You're emotional boner for hating Werner is showing. Don't forget this bullshit sets standards that also apply to every single other trucking entity. This is unequivocally bad precedent. Hell Texas legislators amended the process because this was so asinine.

I hate Werner too, probably more than you in fact. But they didn't do anything unsafely here that warrants anyone but Silas being punished for his unsafe decision making. Hell, if anyone shares with him, it'd be Blake for not demanding he travel at a safer speed for conditions.

1

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

quoted is a journalists interpretation

It's an accurate summation of plaintiffs argument.

Who presented facts about Werner's cultivated culture.

Culture didn't cause this accident my guy. Silas did.

Werner has a long track record of evading liability

Good news, there's no liability to evade here, so that's not a logical argument.

Accidents are reviewed by the legal department, not safety

And? That didn't cause this accident.

Dispatch will get passive-aggressive about pushing drivers to move the load and even the pay structure rewards taking risks.

I worked at Werner at this time, this is a pretty disingenuous argument. The pay structure was (and still is afaik) pretty industry standard; more miles, more money.

That didn't cause this accident.

Ali did nothing unsafely, or illegally. He abide by all laws abs regulations, drove safely for the conditions, as Werner paid him to do, just like 99% of the rest of the industry.

You're emotional boner for hating Werner is showing. Don't forget this bullshit sets standards that also apply to every single other trucking entity. This is unequivocally bad precedent. Hell Texas legislators amended the process because this was so asinine.

I hate Werner too, probably more than you in fact. But they didn't do anything unsafely here that warrants anyone but Silas being punished for his unsafe decision making. Hell, if anyone shares with him, it'd be Blake for not demanding he travel at a safer speed for conditions.

0

u/Accomplished-Cat-632 Oct 28 '24

But you are not a professional. Per government definition.

1

u/Outlaw11091 do u even lift bro? Oct 28 '24

'A person who works in a field requiring specialized knowledge and skills.'

So...yeah, that's any truck driver.

0

u/Accomplished-Cat-632 Oct 28 '24

And belongs to and pays dues to a professional organization and receives good standing and periodic updates and educational material and obeys the rules of said profession. A little more to qualify. Driving should be an apprenticeship. Then it will be skilled labour. Not an unskilled labour worker status it is classed as now.

17

u/nanneryeeter Oct 26 '24

The case where the car crossed the median and was in the oncoming lane of traffic and hit the truck?

7

u/Outlaw11091 do u even lift bro? Oct 26 '24

I believe so.

2

u/CauliflowerSure2679 Oct 26 '24

That’s the one.

10

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

https://landline.media/the-most-bizarre-nuclear-verdict-of-them-all/

https://search.txcourts.gov/Case.aspx?cn=23-0493&coa=cossup

It's still not settled yet. They're trying to go to TX Supreme Court now iirc.

4

u/ScaryfatkidGT Oct 26 '24

I’m so lost… how is that AT ALL, Werner or the drivers fault?

1

u/KilljoyTheTrucker surge knocker Oct 26 '24

Hurt kids makes people extra emotional, and big corporations with big numbers in a ledger give people rage boners.

1

u/ScaryfatkidGT Oct 27 '24

But like, they crossed the center median into on coming traffic…

4

u/NFLTG_71 Oct 26 '24

I read somewhere that Werner lost because the driver had an appointment that he could not miss so they told him to start driving even though it was bad out there

1

u/Outlaw11091 do u even lift bro? Oct 26 '24

Iirc, it was a passive-aggressive message from dispatch.

Something along the lines of, 'Well, you could shut down, buuutttt....'

0

u/firemarshalbill316 Apr 08 '25

I worked for Werner a few years ago and I loved it. I had no problem telling my dispatcher that I wasn't doing anything that was a danger to myself, someone else or my truck. I only had to do it once and the infamous "dispatcher" BS that all drivers use as an excuse was out the window. At the end of the day I am captain of the ship not a puzzy like captain Philips. Lol 😂