Automobile Transport Trailer Safety Negligence Leads to Severe Injury

Car transport trailer driving on highway

Case Overview

This case summary delves into an incident involving an adult who sustained injuries during the delivery of their vehicle, transported via an automobile transport trailer. The event occurred on a day in March when the plaintiff's vehicle was not immediately accessible due to its positioning among other cars on the trailer.

The trailer driver faced difficulties starting and moving one of the vehicles, leading them to invite the plaintiff onto the trailer for assistance. Tragically, while on the trailer, one of the cars rolled into the plaintiff, pinning them between two vehicles. Allegations have been made that the trailer driver failed to uphold the care standard required for safe vehicle delivery.

Questions to the Occupational Health and Safety expert and their responses

Could you provide some insight into your professional background in automobile transport trailers?

I am a Certified Safety & Health Official with a master's degree in Occupational Safety & Health. My active role as an award-winning Safety Director further enhances my expertise in this field.

What constitutes the standard of care for safe vehicle delivery on automobile transport trailers?

The standard of care mandates that only individuals with appropriate training are allowed near or on equipment such as automobile transport trailers. This includes maintaining a safe distance from civilians during potentially hazardous processes like loading and unloading.

Have you reviewed similar cases before? If so, please elaborate.

Yes, I recently reviewed a strikingly similar case where an untrained civilian was invited onto a trailer, resulting in injury.

It is clear that without sufficient training, being near or on such equipment can lead to foreseeable accidents. In my professional assessment, inviting an untrained individual onto a potentially dangerous area like an automobile transport trailer represents a clear breach of standard care. The driver failed to protect those exposed to unloading hazards, leading to preventable injury.

About the expert

This expert boasts over two decades of experience in environmental health, occupational health, and safety, with a focus on workplace injuries and fatalities across various industries including construction, oil, gas, and retail. They hold a BA in Healthcare Administration, an MS in Occupational Safety and Health, and an MBA. Currently serving as adjunct faculty of occupational safety and health at a major university, the director of environmental health and safety at a well-servicing company, and the owner of an EMS education service, this expert is also a licensed paramedic and certified EMS instructor, safety health and environmental professional, and OSHA outreach instructor.