Bill also relieves financial burdens for trucking companies often targeted with staged collisions and fraudulent insurance claims
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and Garret Graves (R-LA-6) introduced the "Highway Accident Fairness Act of 2021" today to improve the safety of truckers and civilians on US highways. The legislation also protects trucking companies from the financial burdens of defending against or settling fraudulent insurance claims resulting from staged collisions.
Currently, truckers are often the target of staged collisions which puts both civilian and truckers in serious danger. The trucking companies and local law enforcement are then subject to significant financial burdens from the emergency response and litigation fallout. This bill closes these loopholes and ensures that highways remain safe economic and civilian transit corridors.
“Highways are a significant component of our economic supply chain. Every single day, goods flow across states to get food on shelves and products in homes. We must commit ourselves to keeping these transit corridors open and safe all year round,” said Congressman Cuellar.
“That is why we must pass this important legislation protecting our truckers from staged collisions that cause dangers for civilians on the road and economic problems for trucking companies provided an essential service. Thank you to Rep. Graves and the American Trucking Association for their support.”
“Louisiana drivers pay some of the highest insurance rates in America. This is unacceptable and the solutions don’t require rocket science. Our bill will prevent criminal rings from further increasing the cost to drive and do business in Louisiana. That one $4.7 million settlement caused all of our insurance rates to go up,” Congressman Garret Graves said.
"Our legislation cracks down on fraudulent claims, increases safety on the roads, and will help to lower insurance rates for drivers. Thanks to Rep. Cuellar for joining the effort, the American Trucking Association, and all those supporting," Graves said.
More specifically, the Highway Accident Fairness Act of 2021 will:
- Assure fair and prompt recoveries for highway accident victims with legitimate claims
- Provide for Federal court consideration of interstate cases of national importance under diversity jurisdiction
- Maintain stability in the movement of interstate commerce and protect the public from the safety hazard of staged collisions
- Protect motor carriers and insurers from the financial burdens of defending against, settling or being found liable for fraudulent claims that result from staged collisions
- Protect law enforcement agencies from expending resources dealing with the aftermath of staged collisions
“We thank Reps. Cuellar and Graves for introducing this common-sense bill to curb rampant lawsuit abuse against the trucking industry. Staged accidents, third-party litigation financing, and disproportionate nuclear verdicts are perverting civil justice into a profit center, jeopardizing highway safety and adding more costs and strain to our nation’s supply chain,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “This legislation would restore balance and fairness to the system and help ensure justice drives accident litigation – not profiteering and windfalls.”
