If you have been involved in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, you could be entitled to a substantial amount of financial compensation. A California truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Preston Easley APC can work to maximize the value of your truck accident claim.
The recent surges in volume at ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach have created a number of difficulties for truckers. Scheduling issues and backlogs mean that truckers are under more pressure on the roads going to and from the ports. The truckers may be at an increased risk of causing an accident.
Speak to a California personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Preston Easley, APC to learn more about your legal rights. We can gather and review evidence and determine whether you may be eligible for financial compensation.
The imposition and threat of tariffs have led to both surges and slowdowns in cargo traffic coming to and from L.A. and Long Beach ports. A surge in port traffic means safety challenges for truckers who haul the cargo before it is loaded or unloaded. Although truckers need to be prepared for any contingency, port surges can make their lives much more complicated and raise the danger level for anyone who is on the roads near the port.
Truckers Need Appointments to Reach the Ports
Surges can make the ports more difficult to access for truckers. Many of the individual ports in the area operate on an appointment basis. Truckers need to work with schedulers to make their appointments. There could be delays in being granted access to the ports that could put the truckers behind schedule. Their employers could put further pressure on them to deliver in a timely manner in light of the delays that they are already facing.
Some truckers have tried to game the system by making multiple appointments for each visit to the port to ensure that they have a time slot. This practice makes it more difficult for other truckers. Currently, ports are prioritizing “dual transactions,” where truck drivers make appointments to drop off empty containers at the same time that they pick up loaded ones.
Different Terminals Have Different Rules
Another major challenge for truckers is that each terminal has its own rules about scheduling appointments. There is no uniformity among the terminals, making access even more difficult for the truckers. For example, some terminals at the ports are more flexible in making appointments for truckers to return empty containers, while others make it more difficult. Truckers need to be aware of the policies for the individual terminals when they are scheduling appointments.
Ports Are Not Fully Staffed
Even when a trucker has an appointment to reach the port, it does not mean that they would be able to proceed directly to a pickup or dropoff. There have been reports of truck drivers arriving at the port and having to wait in line for as long as six hours because there is an inadequate number of staff at the port. These delays make a trucker’s job far more difficult.
Backlogs Cause Other Problems for Truckers
The individual truck driver may be under pressure to cut safety corners in any way that they can during a period of surges. Trucking companies want to maximize their profits to the fullest extent possible when there is high volume. Although there may be natural delays when there is a port involved, trucking companies do not want to be the cause of backlogs themselves. Accordingly, they may lean on their truck drivers to do whatever is necessary to stay both on the road and on schedule.
The Truck Driver Shortage Complicates Things Even More
Besides there not being enough port workers to handle the volume, there is also a major shortage of truck drivers. Many operators have either retired due to age, or they have left the business because of the pressure, and trucking companies are struggling to find additional drivers. Even if there are operators available, trucking companies often do not want to pay the prevailing wage that it takes to hire an experienced truck driver. The result is additional chaos at the ports because newer truck drivers do not have the experience necessary to deal with this difficult situation.
Contact a California Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you have been injured in a truck accident in the vicinity of the Los Angeles or Long Beach ports, or any other crash involving a commercial vehicle, reach out to a California truck accident attorney at The Law Offices of Preston Easley APC. You can schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer by filling out an online contact form or by calling us today at (310) 773-5207.
About the Author
Preston Easley is a highly experienced Personal Injury, Maritime, and Truck Accident Attorney with over 30 years of practice in California. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Naval officer, he brings unmatched insight into maritime operations and complex accident cases. His early hands-on experience in shipyards during law school shaped his legal expertise. Mr. Easley has secured landmark appellate victories expanding the rights of injured workers, including seamen, longshoremen, truck drivers, and construction professionals. Known for handling challenging cases involving cranes, tugboats, trucking accidents, and defective equipment, he has played a pivotal role in shaping maritime, trucking, and personal injury law.