Technology has made monitoring and tracking drivers and loads more streamlined than ever. Trucking companies have more options than ever to monitor drivers, loads, and fleet performance.

In an 8-0 opinion, the Supreme Court ruled that New Prime, a Springfield, Missouri-based interstate trucking company cannot force its drivers to settle disputes through arbitration. See New Prime, Inc. v. Oliveira, No. 17-340, 2019 WL 189342 (U.S. Jan. 15, 2019).

On December 21, 2018, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration made an announcement that California’s state meal and rest break rules are pre-empted by the federal hours of service regulations.

The law related to civil liability for accidents involving autonomous vehicles is new and evolving. Various companies are developing autonomous vehicles, which will provide a great number of benefits.

In December 2018, the Fifth Circuit in Randle v. Crosby Tugs, LLC affirmed the lower court’s granting of summary judgment related to the plaintiff’s claim of Jones Act negligence.

(United States of America v. Nature’s Way Marine, LLC, Environmental Pollution Group, LLC, Fifth Circuit No. 17-60698, decided September 21, 2018)

In Bunker Holdings Ltd. v. Yang Ming Liberia Corp., the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals clarified what it means to order necessaries “on the order of the owner of a person authorized by the owner” under 46 U.S.C. Sec. 31342(a), so as to permit the entity furnishing necessaries to have a maritime lien.

(Insurer May Not Pursue Subrogation as to Rights of Insured Suspended Corporation)