By Edgar Davison, Esq.
Davison Law Firm

Let’s be honest. The freight industry moves fast, but payments don’t always keep up. Motor carriers do the hard part — hauling the load, showing up on time, delivering without incident — and then get stuck chasing money like they’re in the collections business.

You’re not in the collections business. We are.

At Davison Law Firm, we represent motor carriers and transportation companies who are tired of waiting around to get paid. And while a lot of people like to “talk tough” about collections, we actually litigate. If there’s money owed for a freight move, we’ll find the best legal angle and go after it. Fast.

Let’s walk through what’s really going on when freight charges go unpaid — and what your options are.

Why Carriers Get Stiffed

It usually plays out like this:

• Carrier delivers the load.
• Broker delays, dodges, or disappears.
• Shipper says it’s not their problem.
• Consignee signs the bill of lading and unloads the truck — and then pretends they were never involved.
• Meanwhile, you’re still out thousands of dollars.

It’s not always malicious. Sometimes brokers go under. Sometimes there’s a paperwork excuse. Sometimes it's just a shell game. But here's the thing: excuses don’t pay invoices.

The Law Is On Your Side — If You Use It

You don’t need to yell to get paid. You need to understand your rights and use the tools available. Here’s what we look at:

1. The Broker
If the broker hired you and you delivered, they owe you. Period. Whether they got paid by the shipper is irrelevant. If they don’t pay voluntarily, we file suit. Simple as that.

2. The Shipper or Consignee
They often pretend they’re off the hook — but they’re not. If they received the freight, they may be liable under federal law (see: 49 U.S.C. § 13706) and common-law contract principles. Especially if the bill of lading doesn’t say “prepaid” or doesn’t have the Section 7 box checked. Courts have routinely held shippers and consignees liable when brokers fail to pay.

3. Bond Claims
Every licensed broker is required to maintain a $75,000 surety bond. It’s there for exactly this kind of situation. But claims are first-come, first-served — and once the money’s gone, it’s gone. That’s why timing matters.

Here’s What We Do Differently

At Davison Law Firm, we don’t just send demand letters and hope for the best. We push. We file. We enforce. Our approach is practical and aggressive — but always strategic.

We’ve filed hundreds of freight charge suits across the country. That means we know how to:

• File suit in the right venue for maximum pressure
• Leverage federal statutes
• Hold shippers and receivers accountable when brokers flake
• Garnish accounts and pursue post-judgment collections
• Use bills of lading, emails, and rate cons to lock in liability

We also understand the psychology of collection. Most non-paying parties aren’t scared of a stern letter — but they think twice when a complaint shows up on their desk.

Timing Is Everything

Waiting too long is one of the most common — and most costly — mistakes. Carriers often give brokers or shippers the benefit of the doubt. They follow up, re-send invoices, leave voicemails, and assume it’ll work itself out.

Meanwhile, the statute of limitations is ticking. The broker may be going bankrupt. And the bond might be running dry.

Once a freight charge hits 60 days overdue and you’re getting excuses or silence, it’s time to escalate. Early action puts you in the best position to recover, plain and simple.

The Bottom Line: Freight Isn’t Free

It’s worth repeating: you’re not in the collections business. You’re in the freight business. But if you don’t treat unpaid freight charges seriously — legally and quickly — you’ll bleed revenue load by load.

At Davison Law Firm, this is what we do. We don’t represent shippers. We don’t defend brokers. We fight for motor carriers and transportation companies who want what they’re owed — and want it now.

We review every case with a practical eye and move fast when action makes sense. If you’ve got freight that was delivered but not paid for, send it over. We’ll look at your documents, give you a straight answer, and — if it’s actionable — take it from there.

Because at the end of the day, trucks don’t run on promises. And neither should your business.

Edgar Davison, Esq.
Davison Law Firm
6000 Poplar Ave., Suite 250
Memphis, TN 38119
📞 (901) 230-7749
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.davisonlawfirm.net