Driver Coaching Opportunities to Reduce Trucking Verdicts

$247 million verdict²
A truck driver was backing a tractor trailer into a driveway when it blocked the road. An oncoming van struck it, and the collision was fatal. The parents of the deceased sued the trucking company and the vehicle driver, alleging negligent operation of a vehicle and inadequate driver training. They sought recovery of damages for past and future loss of companionship, loss of society and mental anguish. The jury found that the tractor-trailer driver was acting within the scope of his employment and bore responsibility for 65% of the incident. The trucking company bore 20% responsibility and the company owner bore 10% responsibility. In the final verdict, the parents received a judgment of $247 million.

Coaching opportunity: route planning
This verdict example underscores the value of proper route planning. Drivers can be coached on how to deliver cargo in typical customer scenarios. Route planning training can help truck drivers have the best chance to execute their delivery safely and successfully.

“We spend a lot of time helping customers understand why route planning matters. Drivers need to be trained on how to make deliveries in different conditions and how to recognize the hazards that come with each route,” said Mike Fackler, Northland Risk Control Transportation Director.

“Good route planning gives drivers a clear plan for how to approach a location without creating risk, including avoiding situations where they might end up blocking traffic. The goal is to give the driver the confidence they need to complete the delivery safely,” Fackler said.

Tip: It may not always be feasible, but drivers should avoid backing up whenever possible.

$70.6 million verdict³
While driving through an intersection, a tractor trailer broadsided an SUV. The driver of the SUV and her son claimed to have suffered multiple injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. The SUV driver’s daughter claimed to have sustained minor injuries, but also post-traumatic stress disorder from the accident. The SUV driver sued the driver of the tractor trailer and the owner of the truck on behalf of herself and her children. She claimed the company was negligent in entrusting the truck to the driver and was vicariously liable. The jury awarded $70.6 million in damages.

Coaching opportunity: intersection training
Intersections can present challenges for truck drivers. Larger vehicles have characteristics that can heighten the risk of an accident. The longer a vehicle is, the more time it needs to clear an intersection. It also needs more space to turn. Add to that typical intersection complexities – the bike rider, jogger or jaywalker – and drivers who have gained protective driving skills through training can be in a better position to negotiate challenging intersections. Intersection training can help.

“Clearing intersections is an important skill for drivers,” said Northland Risk Control Specialist Anthony Slamar. “A driver’s key tools for preventing intersection crashes are a keen understanding of the vehicle and vigilance. Coaching can help drivers assess the area, avoid collisions and focus on increasing reaction time for the unexpected.”

Technology like Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) can be useful. They can help prevent or mitigate lane-change and merging crashes. For training purposes, telematics technology can be useful.

How can telematics help in driver coaching?
Studying intersection accidents and cross-referencing the learnings with telematics data can help make the most impact. For example, trucking companies use the data from telematics programs to help identify drivers with risky driving practices. Repeated risky behavior may indicate that a driver needs more training. It may also suggest that a driver has developed driving practices that need to change. Whatever the data reveals, it provides trucking businesses helpful intelligence they can use to make informed decisions in the best interest of their drivers’ safety and their business.

Tip: Companies can develop a fleet safety program that includes hiring best practices before allowing them to drive for the business, reviewing a candidate’s driving history first, and periodically thereafter.

$43.1 million verdict⁴
A truck driver rear-ended the vehicle of a nurse driving in northwestern Indiana. She claimed to have suffered injuries and a permanent disability that ended her 25-year nursing career. She also claimed that her injuries restricted her daily living and emotionally impaired her and her husband.

The plaintiff sought compensation for her injuries and payment for past and future medical costs and lost wages. She prevailed against the tractor-trailer operator and his trucking company employer. In this scenario, a collision-avoidance system may have helped mitigate or avoid the accident.

Coaching opportunity: intersection safety
Collision-avoidance systems are designed to help reduce the risk of many types of accidents, including rear-end collisions – the most common type of severe loss in trucking accidents.⁵ Today, many Class A trucks come equipped with rear-end collision warning systems to alert drivers to obstacles ahead. Still, truck drivers must be intimately familiar with the vehicle they are driving and know how long it will take to stop their truck as well as its recommended following distance for ideal and adverse conditions. The additional support of collision-avoidance technology can help reduce the risk of rear-end crashes.

$55.3 million verdict⁵
A tractor trailer backed into a 30-year-old man at a warehouse loading dock during a ride-along to observe long-haul trucking, killing him. Before backing, the truck driver asked the man to serve as a spotter. However, the driver lost sight of the spotter while reversing and fatally crushed him against the dock.

The victim’s family sued the driver and carrier, alleging negligence for failing to maintain visual contact and for continuing to back without confirming the spotter’s location. At trial, the jury found the defendants 95% liable. Although the jury awarded nearly $58.3 million, the final judgment was adjusted to $55.3 million after assigning the spotter 5% comparative negligence.

Coaching opportunity: safe backing practices
Drivers can reduce risk most effectively by avoiding unnecessary backing whenever possible. However, when backing is required, they must consistently adhere to safe practices. Losing sight of a spotter, even momentarily, can lead to catastrophic consequences like those seen in this case.

A few core practices can help support safer backing, including maintaining continuous mirror awareness and avoiding blind-side backing when feasible. When conditions make backing more difficult, a trained spotter can provide valuable assistance. Agree on hand signals before starting, and ensure that the spotter stands in a position with a clear view of the area while always remaining visible to the driver. If visual contact is lost, stop immediately.

$55 million verdict⁶
After a minor collision, a 22-year-old woman stood near a guardrail awaiting assistance. As an 18-wheeler approached the scene on rain-soaked pavement, the driver lost control, jackknifed and struck her. She sustained severe injuries requiring 15 surgeries, including a bilateral above-knee amputation, and was left permanently disabled.

The woman sued the driver and carrier, asserting that the driver failed to reduce speed despite wet conditions and violated federal requirements mandating speed adjustments in adverse weather. The jury awarded $55 million for extensive medical treatment, pain and suffering and lost future earnings.

Coaching opportunity: driving in adverse weather
Rain is the most common form of adverse weather, yet it remains one of the most underestimated. Wet pavement reduces traction, increases stopping distance and limits visibility, all of which can quickly escalate into loss-of-control situations like the one in this case. Even minor changes in pavement conditions require drivers to adjust their speed and following distance to maintain control.

A few key practices can help drivers navigate rain safely, such as reducing speed when visibility or traction deteriorates and watching for pooling water that can lead to hydroplaning, which can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph depending on tire condition and road surface. Additional wet-weather considerations – including reaction time, vehicle handling and situational awareness – are addressed in Northland’s guidance on adverse weather driving challenges, which reinforces how weather-related coaching can strengthen overall driver performance.