Unpaid freight charges can have a significant impact on your company's cash flow and overall financial health. Consistent non-payment can put carriers in a difficult position, even though payment delays are common. You may need to look into legal options if you have exhausted all of the informal means of collecting your money. What should you know in order to protect your business and recover the money owed, and what legal options are available to you when a freight broker or shipper refuses to pay.
1. Review your freight contract
Examining the freight contract you have with the broker or shipper is the first step before taking any legal action. The contract will list the terms, conditions, and remedies you may have in the event that payment is delayed or withheld. Some contracts contain dispute resolution clauses that specify how disputes involving payments must be resolved, such as through arbitration or mediation.
Remarkables to Make:
• Payment terms and due dates
• Late payment fines or interest
• Arbitration, mediation, or litigation clauses for disputes resolution.
By understanding your contract, you can determine whether the other party's terms have been broken, giving you a solid foundation for any legal action.
2.... File a cargo claim
In some circumstances, the best course of action may be to file a formal freight claim. For this, you must inform the broker or shipper in writing that you are requesting payment for the services or goods you have provided. A freight claim is a formal request for compensation for non-payment, and it can also be used if the dispute involves lost or damaged goods or other transport-related disputes.
How Do I File a Freight Claim:
• Provide the broker/shipper with written notification, including the unpaid amount, the invoice, the delivery confirmation, and any additional information.
• Be sure to submit your claim within the deadlines set forth in the contract or industry rules.
• Keep in touch with us to make sure your claim is being processed.
3..... Loan the Broker's Surety Bond
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration( FMCSA), freight brokers are required to carry a surety bond or trust fund worth at least$ 75, 000. In the event that the broker fails to fulfill its financial obligations, this bond exists to protect the carriers and shippers. One of the best ways to recover unpaid freight bills is when a freight broker refuses to pay you for their surety bond.
How to File a Surety Bond Claim
• Gather pertinent paperwork, including your broker's contract with you and the unpaid invoice.
• Get in touch with the bond holding company for the broker's surety bond( this information should be provided by the broker or made available via FMCSA).
• Submit the necessary paperwork to the bonding company so you can file your claim.
The bond company will pay you for the unpaid amount, up to the bond's maximum, if your claim is valid.
4..... Take the case to the Small Claims Court.
You might want to think about bringing a case in small claims court if you want to pay smaller unpaid amounts. When the amount owed falls within the court's limit, which typically ranges from$ 5, 000 to$ 10, 000, depending on the state, this is a relatively low-cost option for recovering freight bills.
How to File a Small Claims Court Case
• Make sure your claim qualifies by researching the small claims court system in your state.
• Create documentation, such as the contract, the unpaid invoices, and communication records with the broker or shipper.
• Attend the hearing to present your case and file the claim with your neighborhood small claims court.
You will receive a judgment requiring the broker or shipper to pay the owed amount if the court rules in your favor. Although the collection of the money is simple, the court wo n't be able to collect it in its entirety, so this process may not guarantee immediate payment.
5. Consider Using a Collections Agency
Employing a collections agency may be a wise choice if the broker or shipper continues to be unresponsive and the amount owed is substantial. Collections agencies have a history of recovering unpaid debts, and they can handle the process of contacting the debtor and bargaining terms with you. Although you'll be required to pay the agency a portion of the recovered amount, this can be a successful method of resolving the problem without going to court.
How to Work with a Collections Agency:
• Select a company with expertise in the freight or logistics sector.
• Provide them with all the necessary paperwork, such as your contract with the debtor and Freight Logic LLC unpaid invoices.
• Agree on the collection procedure and bargain the fee (typically a percentage of the recovered funds).
6..... File a lawsuit against a breach of contract
You may need to file a lawsuit for contract breach if you want to pay more money or if all other attempts have failed. Although it takes longer and is more formal, it might be necessary if the broker or shipper refuses to pay significant sums of money. This lawsuit may be handled in federal court or civil court depending on the country and the amount owed.
How to File a Contract Lawsuit for Breach:
• Get in touch with a lawyer who specializes in contract law or transportation law to assess your case and determine your chances of success.
• Prepare all forms of documentation, including contracts, unpaid invoices, delivery documentation, and communication records.
• File the lawsuit in the appropriate court, go through the legal process, go through discovery, or go to trial, if necessary, and go through the legal process.
Although legal action can cost a lot, it might be the only option for recovering significant unpaid bills.
7..... Report the shipper or broker to the authorities for regulation
You can report the non-payment to regulatory bodies, such as the FMCSA, in addition to taking legal action. This may not result in immediate payment, but it may lead to the broker's license being suspended or revoked, which could prevent them from engaging in similar practices with other companies.
How to File a Complaint with FMCSA:
• Visit the National Consumer Complaints Database of the FMCSA.
• Include a complaint about the broker's failure to pay, as well as any relevant supporting documentation.
• Follow up to see how your complaint is going.
By contacting the broker, you help keep them accountable and stop non-payment problems for other carriers in the future.
8. Preventing upcoming non-payment issues.
Once the current issue has been resolved, it's crucial to take action to avoid additional non-payment issues. Implementing best practices for arranging payment terms and vetting brokers can lower your chance of dealing with unreliable clients.
Best Ways to Avoid Non-Payment:
• Before accepting new loads, conduct credit checks on brokers or shippers.
• To ensure quicker payments, use freight payment services or factoring firms.
• Establish clear payment terms, fines for late payments, and dispute resolution procedures for contracts.
You can lessen the chance of dealing with unpaid freight bills by managing your relationships with brokers and shippers.
What is the conclusion?
Legal action may be required to recover the money owed to you when you are faced with unpaid freight bills. Knowing your options is essential to protecting your business, whether you decide to file a claim against a surety bond, go to small claims court, hire a collection agency, or file a lawsuit. Always go over your agreements carefully, keep track of all transactions, and follow the appropriate procedures to quickly recover payment. You can protect your business from upcoming non-payment issues by taking the appropriate legal action and putting preventive measures in place.