The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has published significant research detailing the expanding landscape of tort litigation within the trucking industry. Released on December 3, 2025, the study examines factors influencing case outcomes and highlights a troubling rise in litigation that could impact the sector’s operations and safety.
ATRI’s comprehensive analysis draws on six years of federal and industry data. In 2022, an estimated 12,817 state truck-tractor tort cases were filed. Alarmingly, up to 147 of these cases were improperly prevented from reaching federal court, where they typically benefit from greater protections against potential biases.
The report reveals that the most significant awards, which pose the greatest risk to the industry, have increased at an average rate of 5.7 percent per year. Factors contributing to higher awards include types of negligence, such as improper hiring and onboarding practices, as well as the severity of injuries, particularly moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries. The data indicates that settlements tend to be lower than verdicts in cases involving awards of $5 million or more, while they are higher than verdicts in cases with awards under $1 million.
Three specific types of alleged negligence—improper turns, improper merges, and failures to yield—were statistically linked to defense victories. Furthermore, the report found that trial strategies involving counterclaims, where evidence of plaintiff negligence is presented, did not correlate with lower award amounts. This finding suggests a significant bias against motor carriers in jury decisions. Nonmedical awards were noted to be over ten times higher than medical awards in 17.8 percent of cases, raising concerns about exaggerated nonmedical claims.
“Both frivolous and excess litigation pose grave challenges to the trucking industry today,” said Nathan J. Meisgeier, President and Chief Legal Officer of Werner Enterprises. “They drain significant time and resources that could otherwise be spent on improving industry operations and safety.”
The report’s insights have prompted calls for reform. Renee Amar, Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, stated, “ATRI’s report underscores the need for fair and balanced reforms to the legal system and the importance of remaining vigilant in this challenging legal environment.”
ATRI’s research serves as a critical resource for industry stakeholders and policymakers. The full report is accessible on ATRI’s website, providing a detailed overview of the current litigation environment affecting the trucking sector. As a not-for-profit research organization, ATRI focuses on revealing the essential role of freight transportation in maintaining a safe and efficient transportation system.
