A so-called spotter who participated in at least two staged accidents against trucks in the New Orleans area has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for his part in the wire fraud conspiracy.

A civil action against FTS International Services remains one of dozens of so-called “nuclear” verdicts against motor carriers, defined as awards in excess of $10 million, that in recent years have been on a steep rise.

Reduced highway traffic during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis has lowered the risk of crashes, but this silver lining of the pandemic has provided only a temporary reprieve for trucking companies that have seen escalating insurance costs in recent years.

High Definition Vehicle Insurance, launched in 2018, focuses on small and midsize trucking fleets.

The insurance underwriting industry continues to face financial uncertainty, characterized by historic underwriting losses for the transportation sector and rising insurance rates for motor carriers, insurance executives said during a virtual educational session at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition.

A recent study that explored the skyrocketing rise in jury awards against trucking companies went beyond the numbers to seek expert input on what fleets can do to protect themselves.

Four others have been indicted in connection with a sweeping federal investigation into staged accidents with commercial vehicles in the New Orleans area.

Nine more people have been indicted in connection with a sweeping federal investigation into staged accidents with commercial vehicles in the New Orleans area.

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.