• What happened: Legislatures around the country are passing critical reforms to rein in the abusive lawsuits that are causing massive spikes in nuclear verdicts, particularly related to commercial vehicles. 
• Tackling from all angles: Indiana passed legislation allowing evidence of seatbelt use to be introduced in trials, Iowa passed legislation capping noneconomic damages at $5 million, and Florida passed measures to limit the use of inflated medical bills.
• What about Texas? In 2021, the Legislature passed HB 19 to help level the playing field in commercial vehicle litigation, setting guidelines to ensure cases are tried uniformly across the state. That includes first determining who was at fault in a wreck and the amount of damages necessary to make the plaintiff whole, and then determining if punitive damages are appropriate. Find out more in the TLR Advocate
• TLR Thoughts: Personal injury trial lawyers aren’t limiting themselves to big trucks anymore. One look at plaintiff lawyer advertising on TV reveals that any small business running a fleet of any sized vehicle continues to be a target for litigation in Texas.

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