Shippers Try to Shift Full Liability Carriers

ank truck carrier executives said they were being deluged with requests from shippers to sign contracts in which they assume all liability for accidents and mishaps even if the shipper is at fault.

“Every week we’re getting asked to do that by a shipper,” said Lanny L. Wilhelm, president of Liquid Transport in Indianapolis. “We know there are shippers saying sign this contract or we don’t do business, but we would prefer to walk away rather than sign an unfair contract.”

Industry officials said the contact provisions — known as “hold harmless” or indemnification clauses — have been around for years, but the number of shippers requesting truckers to agree to them has recently shot up.