[Shipping brokers] are the clearinghouse for moving freight. When there is a container to pick up, in most instances, that request goes to a broker to find a freight line or company to come get the shipping container. Sometimes people get confused that trucking companies own the semi-trailers, and in most cases, they do not. […]
Up to today, trucking companies bore the liability for anything that happened with their vehicle or driver during. Brokers had always claimed immunity from any liability as they were a step removed from ownership. All they did was scheduling – pick up a phone and schedule with Company A or B to get a load from here to there. There were ways to know if said company was in full compliance with DoT regulations, had safety violations, and had paid their insurance bill, but zero impetus for a broker to check.
The trucking company was just another name in the book, willing to deliver for the price quoted.
A unanimous decision from the Supreme Court today has changed that dynamic and sent a seismic shock through the entire trucking industry.
“…an extinction event for 30-50% of all freight brokers.”
Well that’s step one, taking out the garbage brokers.
But you still have the multitude of shadow companies that own the trucks, which is problem 2… it could be solved by linking DOT numbers to VIN numbers so you can’t peel the problems off the truck by switching numbers after an incident.
brilliant suggestion. which is why it aint gonna happen. not ‘part of the plan’.
the ‘plan’ being to CREATE the opportunity to take over trucking, part of which using the trick you describe.
So is the passenger in a cab now responsible for accidents? Sounds very similar.