Former marine and a trucking veteran of 43 years, Jerry Matson, arrived a little early to drop off his load one night. The receiver turned him away, refusing to give him safe parking while he waited to deliver his load. While waiting, Matson was shot and almost died. Now he is suing the receiver for negligence.
It was December 15th, 2015, and Matson arrived at the Oakland Coliseum with a generator that would be needed for an upcoming game. As he usually did when he dropped off a load at the Coliseum, Matson went to go park in their fenced parking area. That night however, the security gate attendants refused to let him inside, telling him to go park across the highway on the west side of I-880.
According to Matson’s lawyers, Matson would often sleep in the fenced parking lot at the Coliseum to avoid having to wait exposed in the “high-crime area” around the Coliseum.
Just a few hours after he settled in, a man tried breaking in to the truck by smashing Matson’s window. When Matson stood up to confront his attacker, the man shot him in the stomach before running away. The shot went through his chest and into his leg.
Matson underwent three separate surgeries, and spent over a month in the hospital recovering. It was over a year before he was able to return to driving. According to Matson, he’s still in pain and isn’t able to drive as far as he used to.
According to the lawsuit Matson is bringing against the Coliseum, the stadium negligently exposed him to danger by refusing him access to their secure parking area which he had previously relied on.
Matson’s attorneys are seeking reimbursement for hospital and medical expenses as well as compensatory damages for lost wages and the use of his truck.
The lawsuit has sparked a debate about whether or not a receiver should be at all responsible for the safety of drivers delivering to their facilities – and by extension, how shippers and receivers should be treating truckers in general.
Source: sfgate, truckersreport, gobytrucknews, joc
Floyd says
I hope it goes in the drivers favor. It seems like everywhere you turn, the buck is passed to the driver. The cogsinee should be responsible for your safe parking within a reasonable window of the delivery time. And if they drag their feet unloading you, the window should extend to a 10 hour break.
John says
Yes. Very true. And if this lawsuit ends up a winner, it will put every shipper and receiver on notice and that they can and will be held responsible. That being said, it could have a negative response as well. What if customers that have allowed us to come in early and stay late, now just want to say come in at the appointment time only? Time will tell
John says
Shippers and receivers should protect truckers as much as possible. Without truckers delivering their freight, they are out of business. Protecting us drivers is cheaper than facing lawsuits. If you have the area that trucks can park in while awaiting to unload, let them use it. They are also protecting their own freight.
Blue says
Your last sentence addresses the most insanely perplexing part of this equation. Even if the receivers don’t give a rat’s backside for another human being, you’d think they’d at least be duly concerned about their “precious” cargo.
GC says
They don’t care, they are insured and the trucker’s insurance would have to pay so it still hits the Owner op or trucking company if their cargo gets damaged or stolen. they have no responsability.
I hope they pay.
Brian says
Usually they are, however the article stated it was the security gaurds that refused him… I have been to places where they have had third party contracted security. The company has given me permission to park over night but the night shift security gaurds tried to chase me off the property and I had to argue with the gaurd and eventually tell them that I was given permission and if they dont like it take it up with the company in the morning. I then proceeded to tell them I was going to bed and to have a nice night. I try to be as polite and professional as humanly possible and leave it at that. What I wonder is if it was a third party security company the gaurd worked for or if the gaurd actually worked for the Oakland collisium.
Motown44 says
Very true, We’re forced to park on the side of the road
Because some truck stops do not have enough parking..
Edward Butryn says
Finding parking is the hardest part of my job. Everywhere. Some states are better than others. But even the “nice trucking” states have customers that don’t offer overnight parking and that leaves me looking for something close by.
Kay says
I hope he wins this lawsuit. From the moment I read about this last year I felt the receiver was wrong by not protecting this driver. I hope he wins and wins big.
Edwaed Johnson says
I hope he wins also. I think they should go back and look at the relationship between Shipper and receiver.
MrYowler says
*This* is what “sparked a discussion”? Really? Not the countless angry arguments at consignee or shipper facilities? Really?
Michael Gallegos says
The problem with parking is nationwide – most shippers and receivers do not let trucks stay on their property.
Some just don’t have room. Others do and are disparaging of trucks on their property. They have their reasons. One of them is, too many truckers are not respectful of the property, and trash and worse is left for them to clean up. I don’t blame them one bit for that.
This summer, after ‘retiring’ from trucking, I start to broker for OOs.
Part of my broker service will include brokering for shippers/receivers who are trucker friendly. There really are quite a lot of them, but most do not allow for truckers who are out of hours, and for security, to stay on their property. Out of hours and security are the main reasons for needing to lay over.
Additionally, for example, I don’t intend to broker loads going in/out of Oregon or Washington. Though there are some places to lay over, these states are not generally truck friendly. Screw ’em. I may have to eat crow on that, but that won’t be very often.
There are other places, but in general, I won’t broker loads to shippers or receivers known for taking hours to load/unload (Wal Mart!), especially when an appointment is set. I will focus on dry van drop and hook and flatbeds.
Then there are the smartxxx shippers and receivers who gouge money in the form of a late fee. I know who these idiots are, too. They are not understanding of circumstances which can be unpredictable.
But, if they have staged a scheduled load that does not show, or is late, the staged load is in the way of dock work efficiency. That’s understandable, but not necessarily late-fee justifiable, especially when the shipper/receiver pockets the money and the dock crews don’t benefit. Therefore, I smell a rat.
So, when I sell a load to an OO, the likelihood of being delayed loading/unloading is a lot less likely. That means, OOs can keep moving and everyone gets what they need when they need it.
Oh, there will be problems, sure. The idea is to reduce problem probability as there’s plenty of time to work the real problems and still pickup/deliver, safely, and on time.
That also means I better have a decent load for them after they’ve unloaded.
That just takes foresight, planning, and cooperation to meet the shipper, receiver, and driver needs. All three are customers in my opinion.
In general, truckers are not very well treated by many shippers and receivers and the public. Some of this is justified. There is a reason for the see-through partitions at these places.
Truckers have stepped over the lines of behavior causing the partitions to be installed. There has been a wall of division between for many, many years.
Some of the social tension has been reduced, but there are drivers from other countries that cannot control themselves. Not all truckers misbehave. I think though, there are more risky drivers on the roads not driving safe than there are people who misbehave at customer locations.
So, there is reputations earned on everyone’s part and everyone needs to make an effort of comity, decency, and respect. For instance drivers, you could dress better, abstain from showing up in clothes that should have been trashed years ago, and treat customers with professional dress and manner of respect. If you wear long hair and beard, clean it and care for it – why should I have to even mention that ???
Many of these places are just busy as heck and they don’t take time for niceties, they can be short, seemingly rude. But they are probably just harried to get it done. Their point is view is 55 trucks in a 12 hour day – it’s the impossible task of 4 trucks per hour they know they will never meet.
The trucker’s point of view is concern for one truck load while his working and driving hours are ticking away and may be running out of hours.
So it is no wonder the interests and concerns clash. Driver hours are not their problem. Unloading 55 trucks is not the driver’s problem.
The only answer is patience and cooperation. That’s the driving reason why shippers/receivers should reconsider when a driver gets short on hours. And the driver should let their dispatch and the customers know you are in a bind.
Maybe the answer is a reschedule while the driver still has enough drive time to get to a safe parking place. They still may not care. But you drivers must act professionally, dress accordingly, and speak with respect. Let your dispatch work it out and don’t let dispatch tell you it’s ok to drive anyway – it’s not !
Deaconblues62 says
People only turn to Trucking when they are down and out and flat broke. Act professional dress professional of course that goes without saying. Not once in you blog did you mention $pay? Truck drivers are not paid like professional’s. Do you pay o’ops $6.50 a miles? Probably not is my guess. The reason we can’t make decent money is because there’s too many mouths to feed. After everyone else is fed the truck driver gets what’s leftover, sometimes crumbs sometimes nothing.
Michael Gallegos says
Oh yeah; to Jerry:
Semper Fi Brother; Semper Fi.
Good to hear you are on the mend.
Arno says
There is not even a question here. Previous delivery’s set a process of contract regardless of any written contract to the contrary. They are negligible in no notification to the change in process already established.
Rick Smith says
Truckers are treated like human beings most places, but it’s that 15-20% that can get you hurt or killed. The ones who treat you like an animal or a robot. Every trucker can tell you stories if he’s done any real trucking at all. ALL TRUCKERS should be allowed, through national legislation if necessary, to carry. Several times I had to bluff that I had a weapon.
If the punks had called my bluff I wouldn’t be typing this.
Claude C Davis says
I agree we should be allowed to carry a weapon with us since our loads are so valuable to cargo thiefs.I carry and I wouldn’t hesitate to use it to protect life and property.Better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6.
John L says
Amen, fellow trucker. Why we can’t carry a weapon for self-defense ?
Cliff Downing says
You can. There is no federal law against carrying a weapon in the truck. Only state and local laws. And even with those, it depends on the weapon. Unfortunately, there are so many laws on the books around the country that it is difficult to know if one is in violation where they happen to be, so many do not carry a weapon in the truck and that is how the whole “you can’t have a weapon in the truck” thing got started even though it is not true.
mike says
I hate to differ with that.
Crackerjack says
Differ all you want but it’s true. It’s the states you carry in that you have to worry about as far as them recognizing your state of issue.
David S. McQueen says
I drove for many years for J.B. Hunt. It was company policy, not state or federal law, that prohibited us from carrying a firearm for protection. So, to protect myself, I carried a number of knives and a set of brass knuckles, as well as the traditional tire thumper. The worst area for crime was northeast New Jersey, second worst was Atlanta GA and third was Detroit.
Trucking knowledge says
That’s wrong
It is illegal to carry a firearm in your rig.
I actually thing it’s stated that no weapon can be carried by a driver
IdahoMtnGal says
My former Boss also told me it was a federal law that we couldn’t carry. NO it’s NOT. It’s company policy and State and local laws that dictate whether you can carry or not.
Charles Strassner says
Go to http://www.gunlawguide.com There you will be able to purchase a book titled “THE TRAVELERS GUIDE TO THE FIREARM LAWS OF ALL FIFTY STATES”. On page 9 you will see there is no Federal law regarding the carry of a firearm in a commercial vehicle. The guide book informs you as to State laws. For example, having my Utah concealed carry permit, the guide informs me as to what states honor my permit and what to do in the states that do not. If you are to enter a state that is restrictive, generally all you need to do is unload your firearm and put it in a lockbox out of drivers reach. If there is not a statute, title, section, code or written law, then there is no restriction. A rumor such as “it’s illegal” has been repeated so often, people think it is fact. If you disagree, find the written law that contradicts what I have stated. Give statute, title, section or code, if you cannot, the law does not exist, only rumor.
Kelly says
Carriers have provisions that prohibit that and terminate violations. Better be leased or driving for one that allows it, be surprised if there are many.
richard says
You can. In the state of Wisconsin if you are legal to carry and the gun is legal, there is no restriction while operating a CMV.
Steve Bell says
Mostly ….Because the insurance carriers won’t insure the trucking company for the liability of you being armed….and also because there is no universal carry permit but rather a patchwork of local and state laws that you would never be able to comply with…
Michael Scott says
Its because commercial vehicles follow a strict set of rules and having weapons has become a liability according to Sen John McCain. But with Trump in office and the violent threat of refugees, it will change.
Claude C Davis says
Don’t assume anything when it comes to shippers and receivers.A simple phone call to the receiver to ask if overnight parking is still allowed could have prevented this situation from happening.The receiver is not at fault and the driver knew he was delivering in an unsafe area so he should have had a backup plan in case he was turned away.
Sean says
He had been allowed to park there in the past. So it was an reasonable assumption hr could again.
Trucka T says
Dot and the government need to enforce secured parking, especially if it’s available at the shipper/receiver. I thank God that I love trucking because it’s one of the most unappreciated professions to date and if I didn’t like It I’d be miserable. It sickens me further to hear us as drivers bickering and racially combating one another on the cb radio when we of all people know how difficult the job already is. But I hope this driver sticks it deep into these guys rectum with this lawsuit. It wouldn’t have hurt them to let him rest while he’s safe and pulling their valued cargo not to mention he’s freaking early with the load.
Frankie says
Shippers and receivers don’t give a flying crap about the driver. It’s almost to the point of ruthlessness. It’s like we’re annoying them. I hope he gets the mother load. We go into the worst of the worst neighborhoods to deliver freight and this is the thanks we get.
Harold says
And they should be liable! It’s not like it was a space issue where they had a lot full of trucks waiting. Why not have your product ready and waiting on site when receiving arrives? Many drivers have to deal with these security minions who have too much power and not enough common sense.
Played the load game in (Oakland) of all places @ Macy’s. Arrived early for a DROP. Security would not allow me to simply drop the trailer and take an empty. I was not going to street park overnight. Told dispatch of the situation and that I was heading to Ripon for a safe rest heaven. Dispatch did me one better by having me T-call at our Sac drop yard and grab a load heading east.
Deb says
I have been driving 28 yrs and there has always been somewhat of an “us and them” attitude from shipping/receiving personnel. It’s ironic that if you go to a facility too early they want you to park somewhere else but if your late because of traffic jams often associated with early morning deliveries you are penalized by being ” worked.in” and ultimately spending all day rather than an hour or 2..
Babs says
This, is sad.
A former marines who fought, pay his duties, made sacrifices and still serving his country delivering good stuffs and bringing convenience at his fellow citizens doorsteps and most importantly he helps keep businesses running, millions of workers employed from CEO, to trucking staffs, oil companies and truckstops all together, to funding road construction with his fuel taxes, DOT agents employed, repair robber shops, brokers and their agencies, insurance companies, helps truck manufacturing build truck for business continuity, helps fund little towns America coffers with bogus traffic tickets to generate revenues etc, etc, etc, …..only and and sadly to be shown DISDAIN, DISRESPECTED, TAGGED TO BE DUMB, CRIMINALIZED, ABUSED, RAPED FINANCIALLY and shown no love by the very people we work with and for 365 days a year away from our loved ones who silently suffer worrying if dad would come, if my brother would come home, if my sister who dare drives truck to support her kids aftet dude bails out from his parental responsabililties would come home, if mom would come home.
Being a trucker, constantly we feel being the enemy of everything and constantly targeted (Safety dept, trucking safety lobbies, dispach, fleet mgrs, DOT agents, fuel desk associates, yard man, warehouse workers, public motorists with they famous finger giving.
Thanks folks, thanks for your gratitude every time you’re having that meal, the paycheck, the house, that nice PU fancy trucks and you act like if there is no correlation to the work we truckers do daily to make that happens.
Think of it. At the end, it is a matter of lack of decency to dare think we don’t impact your life.
Jim says
Get a concealed carry permit and then stick to the states that honor your permit.
I don’t go to commie states, ports, military bases or any other fish-in-a-barrel zones. Let them come pick up their own food and supplies.
Kevin says
Most military bases will hold your weapon and ammunition at the guard shack while on base and return it to you when you leave.
Charles Strassner says
Hill AFB security will tell you to take it to a nearby pawnshop and return with the pawn ticket as proof that you have it stored at the pawnshop. Military bases may be difficult.
Beau says
Exactly
V says
We are trained to be responsible and foresee possible issues. I mean some places we can’t pull over to take care of our load. If this driver had relied on this safety area on multiple occasions and then with no warning was unable to use it then it is sad but again he probably should have called ahead.
It really sucks when s/r’s can’t or won’t accommodate for all our safety rules and regulations.
Trthmastr says
Yes, and I wish he would have just drove 10 miles south to San leandro. If I knew I was in a crime hot bed, I would never sack out there. Load, or no load.
Titus says
If he had been parking on there lot what was the problem that night,and I mean he is hauling there Freight so they should want to protect it I hope he gets what he deserves and the people that didn’t let him park gets fired
Michael Scott says
To win the law suit he must show the receiver was negligent. Was the receiver oblieged to allow him on the property early, It probably was not written anywhere. However, the area was known to be a crime infested area and the driver had a history of being allowed to park in a secure manner, but following the direction of the receiver’s agent, a security guard, there was a fudiciary responsibily that had the guard been more responsible and better informed by the companies risk management, this danger would not have occurred. Therefore, the driver should be awarded his damages plus, pain and suffering along with greater punitive damages.
Dan says
There was a safe and secure parking area available, and they denied him. It was there for the use of staging loads. Thwy denied him that safe area, probably by a person on a power trip. That is negligence enough by the owners of the facility, and a blatant act if willful negligence on the part of the security team. If the owners of the facility had not wanted a secure area for incoming freight, they would not have had one. If indeed the place has their security farmed out, they could actually go after the security company as well as the driver.
Bo says
The parking issue is everywhere, everyday ! It’s not just shippers n receivers , it’s The Different states
I was just in a Real Life threatening Life situation a couple of weeks ago
I was coming Thur Wyoming during the daytime and there was a Very High Wind Advisory of winds of up to 65-75 mph
So I was trying to find a safe place to park on I-25 south
I came up upon a rest area and pulled into it and came upon a Wyoming Highway Patrol officer so I walked over and inquired as to parking there and was informed that if I parked there , I would receive a ticket as commercial vehicles are not allowed to park during the daylight hours
So I left and fought the wind !
So it’s not only shippers n receivers , it’s everywhere
I do hope this driver gets his settlement
Sandy says
I hope this drivers gets a huge settlement. I bet if there precious generator was stolen they would be sueing the crap out of this driver and his company. S/R need to remember that drivers are also precious cargo, they are someone’s family member that cannot be replaced like the freight in the trailer. They need to stop being so arrogant and let drivers put their heads down and sleep and not have to worry bout being robbed or shot or worse killed.
mike says
time of least resistance is when some one is sleeping .
Jose O says
I think truckers should carry . The fact that a trucker can not carry is UNCONSTITUTIONAL !! The 2nd amendment give us the right to bare arms. any law that contradicts the constitution is invalid , because the supreme law of the land is our constitution! Just like the safety blitz that we have every year. It is illegal to pull someone over just because. We are all protected by our 4th amendment right. trust me my fellow truckers I’ve gotten pulled over for no reasons, and I let them have it in a professional manner and every time I’m sent on my way..Remember don’t give them a reason, keep your truck clean, make sure your lights work, and look like a professional. Get IT GOT iT GOOD!!
jim says
They told the driver he could not stay on their property because they didn’t want to incur liability for the driver or truck. The property owners have no legal responsibility for what occurred off their property. I doubt he will win – even though I have faced similar problems of being mugged by junkies in OTR Cincinnati, and attempted armed robberies in Long Beach. The crux of the problem is the inflexibility of the HOS and 14 HR clock as well as limited parking and the total disconnect between shippers, receivers, and the local municipalities which make overly restrictive and burdensome requirements and/or laws which lead to incidents such as in this story.
Kevin says
This is a good example of what’s wrong with the system. Regulations are Always pointed only at the drivers. Supposedly, this makes us and the roads safe.
I have always contended if the want the roads safe and drivers, regulate How Much they make us wait at shippers and mandate good wait areas.
But they won’t, because it’s all about monies for the government.
mike says
that is when a tire thumper comes in handy. A friend of mine was sleeping in his “R” model mack , no sleeper just a full seat , when he felt his truck rock due to someone getting up on his running board . This dude stuck his head inside and my buddy got him with his thumper . He said the guy fell backwards and landed on the pavement so he went back to sleep .Come morning the guy was gone .
Les Gvt says
This is great timing for him- Raiders just announced their move to Las Vegas- and a lot of potential jurors are ticked off. A lot of the reason in the move is supposedly due to the coliseum management- and they are all well aware of it.
Bryan says
Being allowed to carry wouldn’t have made his situation any better. He still most likely would have got shot. Laws probably would have emphasized having it locked and tucked away if they were to enforce them. That being said, the folks at the coliseum were just being mean for no reason. They could have let him park there. What would it have hurt? The folks at these places go on like you’re going to set up shop permanently there. Parking is not an issue in some states, but an issue in others. I don’t understand why so many truck stops have 80 spaces or less. As many trucks that are on the road, it should be mass parking everywhere.
Fred Finster Wb7ody says
Jimmy Hassan, owner of Pilot / Flying J and Cleveland Browns, determined to keep parking at his truck stops at a minimum. Why should I pay taxes on land just for trucks to Park? Come get your food and fuel and leave. Yes, it is a sad mess in the bay area. There was ONE, just one crappy run down truck stop up north of the bay area on 80. A developer came in and bought the land and put up another Mall. Many shops now and no truck parking allowed. Truckers stop throwing trash on the ground! That is one reason trucks not allowed to park overnight.
Jay Terry says
Safe parking is a blessing but unfortunately the bad habits and conduct of the unprofessional drivers over the years has in part led to the negative attitude towards truck parking.
Pam says
Amazing! If the load was late the venue would have acted like it was the end of the world, but the fact that he was early almost kills him… I guess everyone should be 100% exactly on time. Especially on 880 in the Bay Area where there are NEVER any traffic issues.
Kevin says
You can carry while driving. I have a carry permit and a copy of all the states with reciprocity in my box with my 9mm. Now truckers also need to know law enforcement cannot search your sleeper without YOUR PERMISSION. That is federal law. 49 cfr 396.9(cfr is code of federal regulations). I never allow law enforcement in my sleeper unless they have a warrant which of course they never do. Also a component of that warrant is a sworn written complaint by a private citizen. If you don’t know your rights you don’t have any rights. Keep your doors locked. If officer says he needs to come into your sleeper inform him you are calling 911 immediately. I once called 911 on state cops on NM state troopers at a scale who thought he could go into my truck during and inspection and I was standing outside. I forgot to lock the door after I got outside and I told him not to go in my sleeper. I let them inspect cargo in the trailer. I demanded 911 send a sheriff deputy out to me.
Susan says
Hope this guy wins BIG!! Stay safe guys.
Felix says
The fed. Regulates the hell out of the trucking industry why can’t.they Regulate the shipper and receivers to make parking for truck with the e logs I fine myself with no hours left after. I am unloaded if they don’t have parking I have run illegal to fine a place to park then I’m the one in trouble not the shipper or receivers
Mike says
I usually just refuse to leave and they have no choice but to let me in a gate, or im parked in front of their gate all night, just do that.
Ron says
That is why I went into “Expedited loads”. If you got to the delivery on time ,and called dispatch to let them know you’ve arrived,and will be held up…you were covered. the good news is the company who sent you got billed for your “wait time” after the first hour. The company who sent you would get on the phone to the reciever real fast. It kept the trucking company out of the fight ! LOL!. I had it happen one once at a GM plant. Got there at 5:30 PM,and the guy on the dock refused to unload me until midnight,becaused I backed in out of turn.(My first time there ) Well i got his name called dispatch,and waited. They ran out of parts at 9PM,and stopped the whole line ! The “Big shots” from the office came down,and gave me hell,and threatened to sue the trucking company. I gave them the guy’s name,and had them look on the computor on when I was going to get unloaded. He got in trouble with the boss,and the Union officals. I politely told the all “You are all car salesmen “. The replied “No we just work in the plant”. I just told the them “You piss these truck drivers off…they will by their next vehicle from someone else..then where will you be” ? They got the point real quick. I got paid $150.00 wait time by the folks who’s load I delivered.What would it hurt this “security” guy if the guy was backed up to the dock ? Nothing. He was just being mean. hope he get’s fired,and sued ,and goes to jail for “endangering the life of another person” When you set up a situation where a person gets injured, or killed .Which is just what the guard did ….You are liable. It’s on the law books.
Lawrence Draper says
Good luck driver, but I doubt if the courts will rule in your favor. A jury might. Any truck driver knows what a problem parking is. The feds do little to help the situation. All the govt does is put more regulations on drivers. This is all part of this federal governments ongoing Wat against labor
Stingray63 says
Your sleeper is considered your home. You CAN possess a gun. I have a concealed carry permit from Oregon. I would have my gun everytime I did OTR. If some idiot from a shipper or receiver asked whether I had a gun or not before entering their property, I’d tell them NO! Keep your firearm hidden from view and keep it in a place where it’s not going to be found even if some lowlife turd searches your truck other than law enforcement. I wouldn’t tell anybody if I carried a gun or not. Its none of their business! Loose lips sink ships. The only time I brought my gun out was at bedtime.
Mark Mason says
I hope it goes in the drivers favor. California is one of the worst states for providing safe parking for truck drivers. They seem to want their products in California but it’s another thing to provide enough parking in any major city in that state.
Scott K says
The 14 hour rule is also a culprit in this type of scenario. If you can’t park at your receiver, then you obviously have to park somewhere else, then start your clock 10 hours later. If you have E-log, this punches your clock, and if the receiver holds you up for 4 hours, then you have wasted valuable driving time. If you don’t have E-log, then you are pretty much forced to falsify your logs in order to earn a decent living. You also generally have to fight morning traffic that you won’t generally have in the evening.
juan says
I agree with many points of all who have managed to give the driver’s point of view, but maybe if the driver knew he was arriving early he should have called his dispatcher and have them coordinate with the receiver of the shipment, making sure the receiver had ample parking for the driver’s rig after delivery, hope this driver’s gets his due process
Nick says
It is a long shot but I hope the driver at least gets his medical bills and lost income recovered. Of all places to deny parking “The Coliseum ” that has room for thousands of spectators to park but won’t let a truck. Probably just a miserable security guard that ruined this guys life
Tommy says
I hope he wins, so sick of companies treating us like this when we do our job and get the order to them arriving early is better than late.. especially when we can’t control the traffic situation
Roadghost says
If you can’t take the freight, don’t order it. If the receiver was being charged $200 an hour from the minute he arrived how long do you think he would have been waiting. I’m not interested in the lame excuses from receivers “Oh, you need an appointment for that” (like it ever makes a difference) or “We weren’t expecting you” (Oh really? You ordered the freight and didn’t expect it to arrive? Idiot.) or “We told you not to bring it until next week…” (WTH do you think? We provide free storage? If you can’t take it, don’t order it). This could all be changed with legislation that puts the onus on companies not to order what they can’t receive. Laws requiring minimum waiting time charges are so badly needed in the trucking industry it’s sickening.
John Q says
If he’d parked there b4 why was he denied safe haven I can see if he didn’t have any business there but he did. Hope he gets compensation for what happened.
John says
I think it would depend on the facility, all to many times in my experience I am sure many will agree, arriving on customers lot in time. Then spends hours at facility, no real driver facilities or ability to rest then be out of hours for driving but the time your clear. This is where hours of service work against you. Ultimately it’s the driver who bears the blunt and takes all the risks. They wander why we can’t find new drivers these days.
Tim says
Hate to break the news, but the receiver has the right to turn away an early load, and regardless of anything a receiver does, it’s the driver’s responsibility to park safely. This is the nature of trucking in general. Carriers tend to be responsible for anything and everything associated with transporting the goods (including on-time delivery) and for parking safely.
Like so many other things OTR jobs have now become disposable. What this means is, if you need to drive 60 miles to get to a safe place to park, regardless of what your employer or the government says, you drive those 60 miles and park safely.
Denise Thornton says
I pray to God he wins. I ride with my husband and I am appalled by how some companies treat truckers. This did not have to happen. The fact that they had a secure place the trucker could have parked and refused to allow him to is more than negligent. In fact, I wonder if the person who told him to go park on the highway did so out of spite. Some receiving workers are envious, jealous or hate truckers. The country would shut down if truckers stop hauling so you would think AMERICA would put more safety and comfort provisions in place. My husband and I have had to look for alternative parking when companies we were delivering to early or if our clock was running out. My husband would tell the gate person he was about to be out of hours in an hour or whatever and needed to stay on their lot. Some said you cannot, “no overnight parking for trucks allowed.” And, from the tone, attitude and expression on the guard’s face he or she did not care one way or another. Companies should be held liable but more importantly powers that be should care.
Sheldon Johnson says
Yep, it’s a three way ring of everyone working together. Without one, it all falls. I’d have to agree that the image of drivers had gone down in that looks, hygiene, etc can be bad. But, on the other hand, with shippers and receivers, if they know that it’s going to take substantial time to load or unload (2+ hrs) and a driver is going to run it off drive time, they should either reschedule the load (if they’re limited on parking) or allow them to do their 10 hour break with some basic rules laid down (trash, basic restroom usage provided,etc). I especially am not quite fond of the places that take 5+ hours to load/unload with no basic amenities provided and expect the driver to be happy the whole time. I recently had a load I thought might have been late, (luckily it had been rescheduled), showed up anyway (would have been on time). When I arrived at the rescheduled time, from start to finish, it took 8.5 hours for them to unload me, no restrooms provided, no basic drivers area to stretch out in, and once they were done, were like, OK, now go away. Luckily, I didn’t have to get unloaded on the original day of delivery since I would have been screwed on driving out of there and was able to just go in the next day.
Rose Pack says
Drivers call ahead. Be sure there is parking for you..You can not expect all receivers to have a safe parking.
It’s SAD we have to worry about being attacked but it’s a fact and got to take the up most responsibility for our own safety.
N says
This won’t go in the drivers favor. The receiver will state that the driver should have did a better job at planning his trip. Thus making it the drivers fault for knowingly stopping/parking in a high area.
GC says
You can not plan to be there early in the morning in the middle of a city.
Even if you were as close as 20 miles (usually there is no parking that close). your 1/2 hour travel to the place would likely be couple hours because of traffic. and your travel time in the morning would be completely unpredictable. so what time should he leave to be there for an appointment, there is no right answer to that.
It makes all the sense in the world to get there the night before, especially if they have plenty of room to park.
Dave says
Reality dictates that once a shipper, broker or even your own company “buys ” a load it is taken as being safe, with even the route being doable. It compares to leaving the driver out for the wolves to eat. So, I would go with, ” If you don’t have a safe place to park notification is required and an alternate parking place should be given “. Actually, denying a safe place is unacceptable.
Bruce Black says
After years on the road,my opinion is all facilities should provide safe parking for drivers,it shouldn’t matter if you are picking up or delivering,it’s their product if your there they should be held responsible for safe passage.
Gary says
Agreed
Deaconblues62 says
Shoppers and receivers have told me in the pass they stopped letting drivers park because the truck companies were over Billing them for detention pay and the Trucking, companies would blame the drivers saying he put in for it? I never slept at a shipper and asked for detention pay. Another shipper told me that drivers have died which is a big liability when on the property. Any of you New at this game, give it 5 to 10 years save all your money and find another career, if you’re in it more than 10yrs you just made the biggest mistake of your life. Trucking is just a long journey to nowhere.
BASEBALLbat says
I don’t know what you guys are crying about. I love being a nasty, methane emitting farm animal to be pushed around and whipped in a violent atmosphere. It is my calling, my duty, and I am reminded of it every day. [SARCASM]
Brown Mat says
That’s why Im video taping every interaction with the shippers and receivers. Just in case anything goes unprofessional then I turn the video over to my company. there contract will be terminated in no time plus someone loses job.
The whole taping process has to be undercover though…
Gary says
I hope he wins a million dollars from them. my son drives a truck and has had the same thing happened to him not shot thank god. Once there load reaches their property the company should be responsible for the driver and load if parking is available or get sued like they are in this case.
Jason says
There should be a federal law on the books that says if they turn you away in such a manner that you can just dump the trailer in front of the property
Also said law should say that The trucking company can’t punish you for it, the client can’t retaliate either, and the company that ordered the load…the client… is responsible for the trailer and cannot sue you if it gets broken into, damaged, or any such thing.
If I was an owner operator I would have left it there, called them and informed them it’s now their Problem, and took off to be honest.