Trucking Firms in Legal Crosshairs as Litigation Costs Soar

US trucking firms face a worsening litigation landscape, as jury awards and settlement amounts for trucking litigation have exploded over the last decade.

In a new study examining the long-term trend, the US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) called for a ‘multi-pronged’ approach, involving various stakeholders, to tackle rising litigation risks for the trucking industry.

ILR’s study shows that the average size of verdicts against trucking firms surged 867% between 2010 and 2018. Between June 2020 and April 2023, the average award in trucking lawsuits was $27.5 million, while the average settlement was $10 million.

A vast majority of the US trucking industry is comprised of small businesses, which are more likely to be crippled by the expenses stemming from litigation. About 96% of all carriers operate 10 or fewer trucks, according to data from the American Trucking Associations.