Getting the truck stuck at a delivery stop

Did you cause any damage? cracked concrete? or just leave some ruts in the mud? Doing local deliveries I always did the same thing, get permission before driving on the property, and let them know we were not liable for damages (our invoices stated it in bold type). The home owner/contractor was always allowed to make the decision. Of course, unloading by hand, they never wanted me out by the road. Cracked many a driveway, had one guy guiding me in 1 day, cracked the edge of the driveway in 18 places.
If your told to drive there, and they guided you in, you should be off the hook for any damages.

 

Ok I guess the question is what is the GC blaming you for? Is he filing a damage claim for something? Was he billed for the extra hours for the delivery? is he charging for the use of the tractor on site?
Off hand I would say you are completely off the hook, of course that depends on your companies policies. If your paperwork specifically states not to drive on the driveway, or your company has a policy against it, then that is another story.

 

We do a lot of residential deliveries (often to finished houses) where the customer will want us to back into their driveway. We have a waiver they sign stating that they understand the vehicles are heavy, there's a possibility of property damage, and that they agree not to hold us liable if, say, a driveway cracks.
You need to cover your ### when it comes to things like this.

 

The bad thing is, are the guys that instructed you to back in authorized to do so? If not then that MIGHT be a problem! When I was doing concrete work and I was told to drive a certain path I always had to be sure they were the GC, Site Superintendent, a foreman or high enough up the ladder to be responsible for any damages if the drive way or yard were to become damaged or pay the tow and of course get the release signed which most of them when they contracted the job already had a copy of so they knew what they were going to see when the tuck got there!

It's a cover your arse -CYA- when it comes to site deliveries! That includes delivering to union sites that think they are going to drive your truck onto the site if you are non union! NYC is bad about that but in their contracts IF they purposely delay a delivery and delay the job THEY don't get paid so all it takes is a get bent I'll take this load somewhere as I'll still get paid for it or else to a local company to deliver or back to the shipper and they usually give up on their wanna be strong arm tactics! Unions aren't all that powerful when it comes to OTR drivers with their own attitudes and contracts! Besides they do not want to sign a form making them responsible for ANY damages to the truck and trailer!

 

Never hurts to put a note on the Bill of Lading or Delivery Reciept and get someone with some authority to sign it before you leave the street. Something like, We relieve YRC of any and all responsibility for any damages due to acessing our delivery site. That way you're protected. We get people that want stone,sand,gravel whatever up on the driveway. That can be done,but i'm not at fault if your driveway cracks. People i work for have been at it a long time and that's how they handle it. You also have to be carefull who you trust to back you up. Usually on a big job site you have 1 or 2 laborers who handle it and know what they are doing. In your situation i get out of the truck when in doubt and check out what i can't see,you should look the ground over for soft spots,ect. Give it some time you'll catch on. Just do not get in a hurry or get talked into doing anything you are not comfortable with. I've left places with material still in the box,because it did not look right to me and that's what they tell us to do.

 

Should have called dispatch, and let them make the call as to whether or not you can do what the consignee wants. I'm sure the dispatcher would tell you to do it, as they just want the freight off, but when #### starts flying, its all on them you know.