Philadelphia Chapter members crossed the Pennsylvania border for a Ride & Drive event in Delaware on a chilly October 9. The meeting was staged at the elegant DuPont Country Club in Wilmington.



After a breakfast of mini-cinnamon rolls, bagels, muffins, and coffee, attendees took advantage of a packed house to catch up with colleagues and network a bit.



The educational presentation on negligent entrustment was brought to members by John E. Cruickshank, Attorney from law firm Alaniz and Schraeder, L.L.P. Cruickshank specializes in liability valuation and early resolution of wage and hour class action lawsuits.

Through his work Cruickshank has seen how companies and organizations are dragged into court cases for even the most tangential reasons. "The only person who cares about justice is the person who feels they didn't get any," he said, asserting that the primary purpose of the court system is the transfer of wealth.

"There are plenty of lawyers ready to sue," he said, and asserted that even if a company was only loosely connected with a case (as much as just existing near an accident site), "...they will named in the suit 100 percent of the time.

"And even if the lawsuit is frivolous, if the lawyer is sharp enough, they will get money from them," said Cruickshank, admitting that a company will almost always find a small settlement more favorable than a prolonged, expensive court case, even if the company feels they were in the right.



After such an eye-opening presentation, attendees needed a breather. As they dined on lunch in the DuPont facilities, final deliveries to the Ride & Drive lot were taking place. Examples of the vehicles on display ranged from a CNG-fueled pickup truck...



...to a single occupant vehicle designed for a driver in a wheelchair. This unique vehicle by Quovis was inspected by Mark Petersen, Senior Sales Executive for Hourglass Management Corporation, and Quovis Representative Abe Hopper (pictured above).

The Ride & Drive is an important function for the fleet executive because it affords them a chance to actually use vehicles they might add to vehicle selector lists. These events are made more productive and insightful thanks to efforts from chapter leaders, presenters, and the attendees who come each year to learn and network.

---