insurance
Trucking Targets 'Nuclear' Verdicts
Plaintiffs attorneys often use emotional arguments with juries when trying to win cases against trucking companies. (Pattanaphong Khuankaew/Getty Images)
The trucking industry is making gains in its fight against the plaintiffs bar and the increasing size of jury verdicts levied against motor carriers, but those in the trenches say the battle is not over.
September 16, 2020Southeastern Motor Freight Files RICO Lawsuit in La. Staged Accidents Case
Southeastern Motor Freight alleges in the lawsuit that it was defrauded by attorney D. Patrick Keating of Nugent Keating law firm, saying Keating conspired with Damian Labeaud and Mario Solomon in two June 2017 staged accidents. (Getty Images)
A New Orleans motor carrier has filed a federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act civil lawsuit against a New Orleans attorney and two convicted participants in a pair of staged accidents with tractor-trailers in 2017.
September 1, 2020Ringleader Pleads Guilty in Connection With Staged La. Accidents
The accidents were staged in the New Orleans area. (Marilyn Nieves/Getty Images)
The ringleader of a New Orleans-area group that staged accidents with unsuspecting tractor-trailer drivers has pleaded guilty for his role in the conspiracy.
August 7, 2020Louisiana Passes Legislation Aimed at Significant Tort Reform
ATA Chairman Randy Guillot (from left), Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, ATA President Chris Spear, and Quality Transport Inc. VP Greg Morrison met in February to discuss trucking industry issues. (TT File Photo)
Louisiana lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at helping the state’s truckers fight off excessive jury verdicts in court.
July 2, 2020House Panel Approves Amendment to Raise Minimum Liability Insurance for Carriers to $2 Million
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A measure that would increase from $750,000 to $2 million the minimum liability insurance requirement for commercial motor vehicles was approved by a House panel and included in a recent highway funding bill.
June 25, 2020Nuclear Jury Awards Against Truckers on the Rise, ATRI Study Shows
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In the past five years there were nearly 300 court cases resulting in jury verdicts over $1 million against trucking fleets, according to a new American Transportation Research Institute analysis made public on June 23.
June 24, 2020Nation’s Courts Feeling Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
Chris Ryan/Getty Images
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the nation’s court systems, and for trucking, legal experts believe it could have a long-term effect on how juries view cases involving motor carriers.
May 21, 2020Reliance Partners Names Thom Albrecht Chief Financial Officer
Reliance Partners, an independent insurance agency serving the commercial vehicle industry, announced the addition of Thom Albrecht as chief financial officer.
May 19, 2020Small Settlements’ Impact Tops ATRI’s Research Priorities List
vitpho/Getty Images
The American Transportation Research Institute’s recently announced list of research priorities for 2020 includes several key trucking industry issues, ranging from legal settlements to vehicle-miles-traveled taxes.
May 13, 2020Some Fleets Turn to Cameras to Help Mitigate Rising Insurance Costs
Onboard video can protect fleets from litigation, vendors say. (Lytx)
Many trucking companies have installed cameras in their vehicles as a way to coach drivers and avoid protracted litigation, but onboard video also can help address rising insurance costs in the transportation industry.
May 5, 2020