What one media outlet calls a “landmark decision” by a federal court pushes aside a nearly decade-long federal protection for vehicle leasing companies. It's expected to affect trucking companies whose owner-operators are involved in accidents when certain leasing arrangements are used.
Bill Would Set National Liability Standard for Shippers, Brokers
Several House Republicans are proposing a national standard to protect buyers of trucking services from claims that they were negligent when selecting the carrier. The bill by Rep. John Duncan, R-Tenn., says that shippers and brokers would not be liable for negligence claims at the state level if they made sure that the carrier is registered at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has the required insurance and does not have an unsatisfactory safety rating.