My dad also drove OTR. He died over 20 years ago, but I remember him saying that it didn't matter whether he was 'held responsible' or not, if he was in an accident he could forget about being hired to drive by anyone (he wasn't interested in owner-operator). That was why he didn't trust 'four-wheelers'; auto drivers might do anything. Semi drivers are pros.
His usual route was L.A. to Miami.