LB Trucking & Transportation Newsletter

In transportation litigation, determining liability is rarely as simple as identifying who was behind the wheel. As courts continue to examine the relationships between drivers, contractors, and transportation companies, questions surrounding operational control, safety obligations, and legal responsibility are becoming increasingly important.

This month's edition explores these evolving considerations. Our featured article examines a $40 million arbitration award against Uber and what it reveals about the limits of independent contractor classifications in shielding transportation companies from liability. We also review recent decisions addressing negligence claims against third-party logistics providers, contractual safety obligations following an equipment-related accident, and the enforcement of commercial driver safety and drug-disclosure policies.

Together, these developments underscore the importance of clearly defined contractual relationships, effective oversight, and proactive compliance practices in managing liability exposure and strengthening defense strategies across the transportation industry.

Article of the Month

Beyond the Independent Contractor Label: Uber’s $40 Million Arbitration Award and the Scope of Transportation Company Liability

By Olivia Jones, Associate

A $40 million arbitration award against Uber raises important questions about the extent to which independent contractor classifications protect transportation companies from liability. In this month's featured article, Associate Olivia Jones examines the implications of the award and how courts in New York and New Jersey evaluate vicarious liability, operational control, and nondelegable duties. The article highlights key considerations for transportation companies and insurers in assessing liability exposure and strengthening their defense strategies.

Click here to view the article.

Case Summaries

Real cases, real rulings, real takeaways. These summaries show how courts are treating the issues transportation companies face every day, giving you the clarity you need to reduce risk and respond strategically.

Click here to view the case summaries.

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