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Forklift Driver Damaged My Trailer

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Country Boy 615, Dec 18, 2011.

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  1. Dec 18, 2011 #1
    Country Boy 615

    Country Boy 615 Bobtail Member

    20
    1
    Aug 19, 2009
    IL
    0
    Had some bad luck recently & what to see if anyone could suggestion anything to me. I just bought a used trailer & price was 15k just 2 weeks before this happened. I picked up some GM racks in Flint,MI. & took them to the Kansas City, KA area & when the forklift driver was taking the racks off my truck he raised them to high on time & put a hole in the top of my trailer the size of a coke can, also bent a bow & almost got in to another place in the top of the trailer. I took pictures & got a signed statement from the supervisor that he did this damage. I had to call out a guy to put some of that patch tape on the trailer before I left or would have not been able to pick up my next load. It was Friday afternoon & I had a load already booked so I was very worried about getting this repair done so I could make it to the shipper in time. Well the repair was to high 177 dollars for some tape on the inside & outside. I told the supervisor that that was a quick fix (just a spare tire until I could get it fixed right) he didn't say anymore. I asked 4 times the name of his insurance company & he wouldn't give me that information & said we will take care of the damage. So I went to a trailer repair place close to where I live & they gave me a est of $2260 to install a new roof as the roof is all one piece. I sent the receiver a copy of the bill for the quick fix & the est to have the new roof installed & called them 2 weeks later after doing so & they told me they had a check in the mail for the quick fix ( that I received but did not cash as they put final payment on the check) & they told me that is all they were going to pay & they said the was good enough. I disagreed & the guy was a real jerk & just getting me upset on the phone so I hung up cause I seen this wasn't going anywhere. So my trailer still has the tape on it & not fixed, I live in Illinois & don't have the extra cash sitting around to fix this right now. So I am asking you what can be done to get them to pay, you know if i did damage to there property they would have had the police down there if I didn't give them my information, I also had my insurance agent call them & no luck either. So what can you suggest I do? Thanks
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 20, 2011
    Country Boy 615, Dec 18, 2011
    Country Boy 615, Dec 18, 2011
    #1
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  3. Dec 18, 2011 #2
    sdaniel

    sdaniel Road Train Member

    5,511
    4,420
    Sep 7, 2011
    Pelham N.C.
    0
    Getting a full roof replacement is not going to happen , not for a hole the size of a coke can. What they call a section repair . It will be a fraction of the price , and the price of the bow ! They are looking at it like you want a new hood for a stone chip, in stead of touch up paint .Will it be factory prefect , of course not , but will be dry. Good luck ! Hope every one has a wonderful holiday !
     
    sdaniel, Dec 18, 2011
    sdaniel, Dec 18, 2011
    #2
    Gears and dunwitit Thank this.
  4. Dec 18, 2011 #3
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

    13,083
    25,865
    Mar 29, 2008
    TN
    0
    Wow, what a mess. Will be watching this thread to see what more experienced owners have to say. I'm always concerned about this as well some of these jokers loading trucks just dont give a rats rear end and it ticks me off how they drive around wide open and recklessly. I would think your only option is small claims court but that is just a wild guess. Wouldn't you know some thing like this happens on a friday and you're under pressure to get your reload.
     
    rollin coal, Dec 18, 2011
    rollin coal, Dec 18, 2011
    #3
  5. Dec 18, 2011 #4
    jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

    2,195
    2,458
    Dec 1, 2009
    hastings, Fl
    0
    I agree. This has happened to me, and the receiver would only pay for a patch with rivets, less than 200 bucks. That is all I expected from them for a small tear. Sorry.
     
    jbatmick, Dec 18, 2011
    jbatmick, Dec 18, 2011
    #4
    Hurricane69 Thanks this.
  7. Dec 18, 2011 #5
    SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

    8,484
    7,046
    Feb 26, 2011
    Westville, IN
    0
    No idea why you need a entire new roof. It is not that hard to cut out a square section and rivet/silicone a new section in it's place (alumnium roof) or just glue a new section in it's place (transparent roof)

    Get a ladder and make the fix. Sometimes in trucking, you have to fix things yourself. Then send them a bill with copies of reciepts for materials and say 2 hours labor..... a country boy can survive right????? LOL
     
    SHC, Dec 18, 2011
    SHC, Dec 18, 2011
    #5
  8. Dec 18, 2011 #6
    bubba mark

    bubba mark Medium Load Member

    615
    733
    Apr 9, 2009
    0
    I have had a certain forklift driver punch 6 different holes in my trailer in less than two weeks. All the company would pay for is to patch them up. Which was about all I was expecting. There is no reason to replace the whole roof unless the hole is big enough to drive a car through.
     
    bubba mark, Dec 18, 2011
    bubba mark, Dec 18, 2011
    #6
  9. Dec 18, 2011 #7
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

    13,083
    25,865
    Mar 29, 2008
    TN
    0
    I'd be satisfied with a patch job. Although if I had a brand new trailer I'd be really po'd, still would be with the one I have now, but stuff happens and they don't stay new forever.
     
    rollin coal, Dec 18, 2011
    rollin coal, Dec 18, 2011
    #7
    SHC Thanks this.
  10. Dec 19, 2011 #8
    Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

    2,818
    2,575
    Nov 30, 2008
    Sioux Falls, SD
    0
    If it was my fault I would patch it and be happy. If it is someone else that did the damage I would want my trailer to be repaired so it is as it was before the incident. I would pay a lawyer $50 to write a letter that unless they repair it correctly you will see them in court, oh and you did hurt your back when you were taping up the hole, right?:biggrin_25525:
     
    Dryver, Dec 19, 2011
    Dryver, Dec 19, 2011
    #8
    SHC Thanks this.
  11. Dec 19, 2011 #9
    Unclegrumpy

    Unclegrumpy Light Load Member

    177
    98
    Feb 15, 2011
    Wisconsin
    0
    If you have an affidavit stating the co. damaged the trailer go through your ins. co. and have them subrogate it. I would think you are entitled to a new roof provided the original was not already damaged, I wouldn't settle for a patch of any kind as it could leak down the road. Call your ins. co.
     
    Unclegrumpy, Dec 19, 2011
    Unclegrumpy, Dec 19, 2011
    #9
  12. Dec 19, 2011 #10
    BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

    4,599
    4,439
    Oct 2, 2010
    Chattanooga, TN
    0
    Sounds like you have made an insurance claim. An adjuster will make the dermination on what it is going to cost. But a whole roof is unlikely. But get it fixed right before winter hits.
     
    BigBadBill, Dec 19, 2011
    BigBadBill, Dec 19, 2011
    #10
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