Advice on Damage to the dock

Pablo

Pablo

Site Supporter
Jan 25, 2008
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Mississauga, Ontario
www.igosalesandmarketing.com
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We had a carrier go pick up at one of our long time customer's. Never ever had a problem picking up there.

The driver backed into the dock with such force he shook the whole building. Upon closer inspection the speed at which he 'hit' the dock door pinched and grabbed the rain cover from the top of door bumper pad and ripped it off.

Carrier was all appologetic and said no problems they would take care of it. Two weeks later when they got the bill for $1100 to repair rain cover and door bumper they claimed it was impossible their driver had done this and that we couldn't prove it wasn't damaged before he got there.

Seems like BS to me. The driver at the time admitted to hitting the building and there were witnesses on the dock to the "smash" sound. However no one visually saw the hit.

Any advice on how to proceed with the carrier?
 
Contact Carrier insurance provider directly and supply them with an incident report. I anticipate that the Shipper recorded Driver information at time of accident, including name, license number and vehicle plate, as well as pictures of damage. If not, your testimonial should suffice to open an investigation into this property damage claim under carrier's Auto Liability.
 
Honestly, it's hard to proceed without written documentation. I used write a description of the damages and have the driver sign it before they left.

At this point, I would ask them what damage are they willing to pay for? He appologized for something and offered to pay for the repairs, so he must know what was damaged.

As far as the customer is concerned, they really should have taken some pictures or made the driver sign something. Technically, their fight is with the transport company and the driver.
 
Accident Insurance claim

Then I would contact carrier's Insurance provider immediately on behalf of your client. Furthermore, I would also supply client with information so that they can present same to their insurance provider should carrier's provider be non respondent.

I've had to handle two of these situations just this week. What does that say about our new-age drivers! Mind you, in one instance the driveway pitch was also an issue for the 53' HC.

Good Luck
 
It seems the driver placed the trailer in the proper spot just a bit harder then some thought he should have. That item would have been pinched regardless of speed and when those things get enough wear & tear it will only take one truck to bring it down. You should have no luck with insurance and have no chance in court so I would take what ever the carrier will offer up and maybe let them work the rest off in the future.
 
I agree,
The carriers insurance will have a deductable a lot higher than $1100.00. If the carrier is willing to pay something take it.
A shipping dock is supposed to withstand reasonable impact and a driver is suppossed to create reasonable impact. One of them didnt do thier job properly. Pretty tough to prove.
 
Pablo, good customer service aside, it never ceases to amaze me how customers come looking to their freight broker to settle what is clearly a motor vehicle accident. Backing into a building, clipping a car in the parking lot, driving over a freshly laid lawn, the matter should be dealt with by the injured party and the vehicle that caused the injury. Really, if someone called a taxi and the taxi drove through the front office window, would you go after the person that called the cab to fix the window? Don't get me wrong, I am all for helping out our customers as part of our on-going relationship, but sometimes........... grrrrh. I quess the heat is getting to me, I am not usually a ranter.
 
More info

MarkD said:
It seems the driver placed the trailer in the proper spot just a bit harder then some thought he should have. That item would have been pinched regardless of speed and when those things get enough wear & tear it will only take one truck to bring it down. You should have no luck with insurance and have no chance in court so I would take what ever the carrier will offer up and maybe let them work the rest off in the future.
Click to expand...

He actually came in on some sort of weird angle and actually hit the inside of OH door if you can belive it. There's damage to the metal door casing as well. It took him 3 or 4 hard hits to even make the door.
 
Whether he has a deductible or not if you push the insurance company you will get paid and they will go after the carrier. Generally if an insurance company tells a carrier to pay it or they will then it usually gets paid. Be straight with the insurance company and don't let them off the hook.
 
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