What happened: Responsible for transporting over 70% of all domestic freight tonnage, the trucking industry is the backbone of the nation’s supply chain. Unfortunately, trucking companies are facing a surge in litigation – which threatens the viability of the industry and the broader economy.

By the numbers: According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform …

• there was a total verdict value of over $5.5 billion in trucking nuclear verdicts between 2013 and 2022, before any appeals or reductions.
• the average plaintiffs’ award in trucking litigation exceeded $27 million from June 2020 to April 2023.
• trucking cases resulting in verdicts over $1 million increased by 235% when comparing the 2005–2011 to 2012–2019 periods.
  

TLR Thoughts: Excessive litigation and nuclear verdicts are threatening the trucking industry and the economy it supports. TLR will continue to advocate for common-sense reforms that curb the frequency of disproportionate jury awards while protecting the rights of injured Texans.

Read the full article here.