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Nuclear Verdicts Push Carrier Insurance Costs to Record Highs

Massive civil jury awards are reshaping carrier economics with unprecedented force. Commercial trucking companies faced 15 major nuclear verdicts—awards exceeding $10 million—totaling $4.1 billion in 2024, with the sector ranking third nationally by frequency. The median nuclear verdict jumped to $51 million last year, up from $44 million in 2023 and $21 million in 2020. Thermonuclear verdicts exceeding $100 million surged 81% to 49 cases, including a $160 million product liability judgment against Daimler Truck North America. Commercial vehicle liability insurance premiums rose 18.6% between 2021 and 2024, outpacing consumer inflation by five percentage points. Per-mile liability losses surged 33% over the same period. One-third of fleets purchased excess insurance layers to maintain prior coverage levels as costs climbed.