TOWING INTO LAWSUITS
Towing experts to speak at SmartSession during the 2012 ProPickup Truck Expo;
business liability and driver safety key topics
Towing equipment trailers is one of the key uses of pickups in the construction, building and landscaping trades. Trailer-towing can also be the costliest and most dangerous of pickup uses.
That’s the topic of discussion by three experts scheduled to speak at one of three seminars during the upcoming ProPickup Truck Expo in Dallas August 23-25.
The “SmartSession” speakers represent a large Dallas law firm, General Motors, and the Cequent Group, the largest supplier of pickup hitches in the world.
“Far too many companies are using pickups to tow equipment trailers that either exceed the truck’s load capacity or are towing without the proper hitch,” says ProPickup founding editor, Bruce Smith.
Joe Reixinger
“If there’s a towing-related accident with that pickup and trailer, and someone is injured or killed, the company can be held liable because of negligence.”
To help educate contractors and company owners of such danger, ProPickup’s editors have brought a trio of experts to spell out the details in the “Towing & The Law” SmartSession to be held during the ProPickup Truck Expo.
Nathan Cash
Nathan Cash, an associate defense attorney with Dallas’ Walters, Balido & Crain, is an expert in the areas of personal injury, premises liability, contract and business disputes within the oil, gas and construction trades.
Robert Krouse has been GM’s Trailering Engineer since 1990, overseeing pickups, SUVs and other vehicle lines.
Krouse has been a member of the SAE Trailer Committee and multiple task forces within it since 1994, including the Tow Vehicle Trailer Rating Committee that is establishing universal pickup tow ratings for 2013.
Joe Riexinger, the lead hitch selection and installation trainer for Cequent Group, will discuss how hitches and proper trailer loading play a critical role in vehicle handling and safety.
These keynote speakers will provide ProPickup magazine’s “Towing & The Law” SmartSession attendees a unique opportunity to learn about pickup tow ratings, choosing and using trailer hitches, and how to avoid potential liability issues facing those towing equipment trailers with company pickups.
The “Towing & The Law” SmartSession will begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23 in Room D166 on the lower level of the Dallas Convention Center.
Robert Krouse
ProPickup’s SmartSessions, which are part of the ProPickup Truck Expo, targets hot topics within the heavy construction, contracting, DOT, utility and professional landscaping trades where pickups play a crucial role.
This year’s SmartSessions include “Towing & The Law;” “Maximizing Fuel Economy;” and “Power Upgrades.” Space is limited, so attendees should pre-register on the ProPickup Expo website (www.propickupexpo.com) to ensure a seat.
The ProPickup Truck Expo, which focuses on full-size pickups and related aftermarket accessories, runs concurrent with GATS and the Pride & Polish truck beauty show. GATS is celebrating its 14th year at the Dallas Convention Center and draws more than 50,000 decision makers in the trucking and construction markets.
