Great West Casualty Company Blog

As the world continues to respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), truck drivers and motor carriers must maintain their operations to deliver necessary goods to residents across the nation. For this reason, we have created this Coronavirus (COVID-19) resource page that includes information for drivers and motor carriers dealing with the virus.

With the advent of more and more technologies competing for our attention, it is becoming more difficult for humans to sift through a swarm of distractions and focus on those items that are worth paying attention to. For motor carriers, whose survival hinges on preventing crashes, driver distractions and inattention are not new. They are old enemies. Preaching to drivers to pay attention and focus on the road ahead is nothing new, yet preventable crashes still occur, leaving a motor carrier’s management team members scratching their heads in frustration. One solution, and arguably the solution to the distracted driving problem, is simple mindfulness.

Spring has returned for most of the country, which means operations staff should take time to remind drivers of the seasonal risks that come with this time of year. Read about the spring-related driving hazards below and commit to completing the “Call to Action” items at the bottom of the page.

Tractor-trailers typically have a high center of gravity, which makes them susceptible to rollover crashes. The key to preventing a rollover is for drivers to be able to recognize the hazards that increase the likelihood of a crash and apply the appropriate defense measures. Read the information below and ask yourself if there are actions you can take to improve your driving skills and reduce the risk of a rollover crash.

Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and insomnia are just a few sleep disorders that affect all employees, not only truck drivers. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), fatigue is a factor in 13 percent of workplace injuries, and “43 percent of Americans admit they may be too tired to function safely at work.” For motor carriers, a great deal of emphasis is placed on driver fatigue – and rightly so – but fatigue-related crashes and injuries are just part of the risk. Fatigue affects cognitive performance (i.e., short-term memory loss, concentration, etc.), work performance (i.e. decreased productivity, errors, etc.), personal health (i.e., depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease, etc.), and carries financial consequences such as increased health care costs.

The FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse went into effect on Jan. 6. All drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP) should be aware of how the Clearinghouse will impact them.H ere are some useful facts about the federal drug and alcohol testing requirements. Find more information at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov.

Cold weather can increase a person’s risk of contracting a virus, such as influenza, which can weaken your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fight off germs. This weakened state can lead to a cold, the flu, sore throat, etc. Read the information below and determine what you can do to better protect yourself from common wintertime ailments.

With driver turnover being an issue for most motor carriers, coupled with the lack of new talent entering the industry, screening applicants remains critical to a motor carrier’s long-term success. Grossly mistaken are those companies clinging to the old-school mentality that simply filling an empty seat with a warm body will solve their driver shortage problem. In reality, motor carriers are likely contributing to their revolving door dilemma by hiring drivers who are prone to job hopping, have a history of risky behaviors (i.e., crashes and injuries), or simply do not mesh with their company culture.

WHAT TOWING RISKS EXIST IF MY TRUCK IS IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HAVE SPLIT COVERAGES? Having a driver involved in a crash is stressful in itself, but motor carriers may compound a bad situation if their liability, physical damage, and cargo coverages are split between multiple insurers. Splitting coverages invites confusion and communication breakdowns between parties involved. As a motor carrier anxiously awaits resolution of the claim, the disjointed parties involved must determine who has coverage for each claim and what the policy limits are, and then coordinate clean up, towing, salvage, and storage of cargo, to name a few tasks. Having one insurer handling all aspects of the claim is ideal. Avoiding split coverages for your operations can reduce the risk of unnecessary delays and inflated claim costs, and better protect the motor carrier from future litigation.