Semi stolen from Whiteland truck stop - Truckers' Trucking Forum

Cybergal · **^ Top** #1 12.27.2007

Semi stolen from Whiteland truck stop
12/27/07
Indianapolis Star, United States

Quote:

A truck driver reported a semi loaded with Stanley air compressors taken from a Whiteland truck stop.

Jasvir Singh called the Johnson County Sheriff's Department about 8 a.m. Wednesday reporting that the truck he drove for BK Carrier Corp. was missing from where he had left it at Lotus Travel Center at 3542 E. Johnson County Road 500 North, Whiteland.
Singh told Deputy Charles W. Murphy that he had last seen the truck about noon Monday.
He had been scheduled to deliver the load of air compressors, which he had brought from New Jersey, to a Fishers location on Wednesday, according to the report. The tools are worth about $150,000.
Police eventually recovered the truck in Illinois, but its cargo was missing, investigators said.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...492/-1/LOCAL17

Brickman · **^ Top** #2 12.28.2007

at those that think a T/S is a secure parking spot for any length of time.

Ducks · **^ Top** #3 12.28.2007

Is it safe for me to assume that the carrier's insurance will pay for this loss?

There's a little road that runs parallel to the two-lane highway near our home. Where the road Y's off the highway, there's a rather wide area. Years ago, truckers would drop trailers there -- you'd see the trailer sitting there for a day or two... then someone would come get it. It was a fairly common thing. I always thought it was a pretty gutsy thing to do -- just drop off a trailer along the road and trust that no one would tamper with it.

I always assumed that the driver was pretty much responsible to make a reasonable effort to be sure his truck and trailer were secure. What are the expectations of drivers in regards to staying with their loads?

Brickman · **^ Top** #4 12.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducks

Is it safe for me to assume that the carrier's insurance will pay for this loss?

There's a little road that runs parallel to the two-lane highway near our home. Where the road Y's off the highway, there's a rather wide area. Years ago, truckers would drop trailers there -- you'd see the trailer sitting there for a day or two... then someone would come get it. It was a fairly common thing. I always thought it was a pretty gutsy thing to do -- just drop off a trailer along the road and trust that no one would tamper with it.

I always assumed that the driver was pretty much responsible to make a reasonable effort to be sure his truck and trailer were secure. What are the expectations of drivers in regards to staying with their loads?

The driver is responsible, and depending on company policy this guy may or may not have a job after this.

Either the insurance will eat it, or the company will and keep the claim off their insurance. All companies are self insured to a point. Just depends on where that point is. Some companies are a million or more before their carrier picks up the tab. Others of us as a small company that thresh hold might be the deductible or a few thousand depending on cash in hand at the time of the incident.

myminpins · **^ Top** #5 12.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducks

I always assumed that the driver was pretty much responsible to make a reasonable effort to be sure his truck and trailer were secure. What are the expectations of drivers in regards to staying with their loads?

Far as I know, you are correct. You are expected to make a reasonable effort to keep your load secure and, with the companies we've been with, you MUST get AUTHORIZATION in order to drop your trailer. Otherwise, you stay with it at all times. If you are out of the truck having supper or something, though, and something happens, YOU are not liable - their insurance will cover it (unless you didn't lock it up or something stupid like that).

Ducks · **^ Top** #6 12.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brickman

The driver is responsible, and depending on company policy this guy may or may not have a job after this.

Either the insurance will eat it, or the company will and keep the claim off their insurance. All companies are self insured to a point. Just depends on where that point is. Some companies are a million or more before their carrier picks up the tab. Others of us as a small company that thresh hold might be the deductible or a few thousand depending on cash in hand at the time of the incident.

With the case mentioned at the start of this thread, I can see the driver's lack of responsibility and can see him being held accountable. But at what point is a driver safe from being charged with negligence (or whatever)?

For example, I sleep like a rock. It can storm the hammer handles of you-know-where and I won't hear a thing. (Trust me, it happens.)

So, if I'm a driver... in my sleeper, sound asleep... in the far corner of some huge Wal-Mart parking lot... and someone vandalizes my trailer or relieves me of some of my cargo while I sleep, how much responsibility falls onto my shoulders?

Ducks · **^ Top** #7 12.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by myminpins

Far as I know, you are correct. You are expected to make a reasonable effort to keep your load secure and, with the companies we've been with, you MUST get AUTHORIZATION in order to drop your trailer. Otherwise, you stay with it at all times. If you are out of the truck having supper or something, though, and something happens, YOU are not liable - their insurance will cover it (unless you didn't lock it up or something stupid like that).

Thanks, minpins. You answered my next question while I was busy trying to clarify it. Feels like the game show, Jeopardy, ya' know? The answer first, then the question. LOL

I am glad that driver's aren't expected to be security guards 24/7 as long as they take reasonable precautions to keep their rig secured.

Brickman · **^ Top** #8 12.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducks

With the case mentioned at the start of this thread, I can see the driver's lack of responsibility and can see him being held accountable. But at what point is a driver safe from being charged with negligence (or whatever)?

For example, I sleep like a rock. It can storm the hammer handles of you-know-where and I won't hear a thing. (Trust me, it happens.)

So, if I'm a driver... in my sleeper, sound asleep... in the far corner of some huge Wal-Mart parking lot... and someone vandalizes my trailer or relieves me of some of my cargo while I sleep, how much responsibility falls onto my shoulders?

I don't know that there is a cut and dried policy.

Once again thats going to be company policy and probably some previous driver history taken into account.
One thing to keep in mind about the MAJORITY of cargo thefts.... the driver is involved. When I was leased with Landstar they were always harping on cargo loss. They even had a PI come into one of the meetings I was at that was experienced with cargo claims and losses, this is what he said as well. A lot of the time a driver is in on it.

Ducks · **^ Top** #9 12.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brickman

I don't know that there is a cut and dried policy.

Once again thats going to be company policy and probably some previous driver history taken into account.
One thing to keep in mind about the MAJORITY of cargo thefts.... the driver is involved. When I was leased with Landstar they were always harping on cargo loss. They even had a PI come into one of the meetings I was at that was experienced with cargo claims and losses, this is what he said as well. A lot of the time a driver is in on it.

Do most companies do criminal background checks on drivers?

myminpins · **^ Top** #10 12.28.2007

Yup, they do. Every one of the ones Mike's applied for has done one.

We actually had it in one policy manual that the driver was NOT responsible for the truck if he was having supper away from the truck, etc., but, of course, you were expected to be in the VICINITY of the truck (truck stop parking lot, truck stop restaurant, etc.)

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