High Risk Insurance Claims in Trucking Accident Cases: Identifying Warning Signs of Potential Mega-Verdicts

This CLE webinar will highlight considerations for plaintiffs’ counsel when investigating trucking accident claims, and considerations for insurer/defense counsel to avoid undervaluing claims and creating an elevated risk of a runaway verdict, punitive damages, or bad faith refusal to settle.

Estimating a realistic amount to reserve, or to offer in settlement, for claims arising from a serious trucking accident can be complicated, particularly if there are numerous parties and insurers involved. The more realistic the estimate, the more quickly and efficiently a matter can be resolved for all parties. Even if suit is filed, a thorough review of all evidence is essential to evaluate the benefits of settlement over pointless litigation and claims for bad faith refusal to settle. 

If the matter is tried to a jury, and plaintiffs are awarded an amount that exponentially exceeds economic losses or includes punitive damages, the defense may be surprised and quick to lay blame on plaintiffs’ trial tactics. However, defense-side commentators have acknowledged that sometimes adjusters or defense counsel fail to see the warning signs of mega-verdicts in trucking cases by not evaluating all evidence or acknowledging what the information reveals, leading them to undervalue a potential verdict and fail to settle when warrented.

Listen as this experienced panel of seasoned litigators offers guidance for accurately estimating the value of trucking accident claims, identifying risks that contributed to the accident, and reviewing key materials, including electronic logging devices, maintenance records, driver qualification files, hiring practices, etc.