Judge slashes punitive damages awarded by jury in case against Wabash National
Judge Christopher E. McGraugh said the original $450 million amount awarded by the jury was “grossly excessive” and not in line with the company’s constitutional rights.
Trucking
Articles
Settlement reached in civil suit against former Celadon execs
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has reached a settlement in its civil case against former Celadon Group Inc. executives Eric Meek and Bobby Peavler, who were both accused of engaging in fraud before the Indianapolis-based trucking company filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations in 2019.
Some truckers want higher speed limits; key lawmakers reluctant
Two Hoosier lawmakers are seeking to eliminate the lower speed limit for heavy trucks on rural interstates and highways, but their proposals appear to be another chapter in more than 30 years of fruitless efforts on behalf of independent truckers.
Indiana bill to increase semi truck speed limits faces tough road ahead
A pair of bills filed in the Indiana Legislature seek to raise the speed limit for large trucks on certain state highways and interstates, but continued pushback from a Hoosier truck drivers group is likely to keep the measures from becoming law.
7th Circuit: MCS-90 says insurance company has financial responsibility for truck crash
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals isn’t letting an insurance company off the hook in paying out a man who was involved in an accident with an interstate trucking company it previously covered.
Florida trucker gets 55 years for partner’s Indiana slaying
A Florida truck driver has been sentenced to 55 years in prison for fatally stabbing his driving partner while the man was behind the wheel of their truck along an eastern Indiana highway.
Woman with quadriplegia secures reversal against INDOT in tractor-trailer accident case
A woman who suffered a severe spinal injury that left her quadriplegic has won a reversal after the Court of Appeals of Indiana found her lawsuit against the state of Indiana and the Indiana Department of Transportation did not create collateral estoppel and claim splitting.
Authorities: West Lafayette man charged after 30-mile police chase
An Indiana man has been hit with several charges after allegedly leading police on a nearly 30-mile chase in a stolen semi-truck, according to authorities.
Trucking association, Scopelitis to host ‘catastrophic accident’ mock trial
Companies interested in learning more about the process of a vehicle accident case headed to jury trial will have the chance to experience it firsthand during a mock trial hosted next month by the Indiana Motor Truck Association.
Insurance covers in wrongful death truck crash, COA rules
An endorsement to an insurance policy providing coverage for vehicles not specifically listed in the policy applied to a wrongful death dispute involving a trucker, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
Jury convicts former Portage mayor of bribery in retrial
A federal jury convicted a former northwestern Indiana mayor on a bribery charge Friday in his retrial on allegations he solicited and accepted a $13,000 bribe from a trucking company.
7th Circuit: Higher tolls on Indiana Toll Road not discriminatory
Truckers were unable to swerve around the higher fees charged on the Indiana Toll Road after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked their argument that the increased rates violated the Commerce Clause. The appellate court upheld dismissal of the lawsuit.
Tax Court allows motor carriers’ refund case to proceed
Three motor carriers can proceed with their claims for a tax refund from the state, the Indiana Tax Court has ruled.
Cy pres from Celadon judgment benefitting legal aid
The remainder of a multi-million-dollar judgment won by Cohen & Malad against the former Celadon Trucking Services is providing welcome support to civil legal aid in Indiana.
Trucker in I-69 crash that killed 3 won’t be charged
A truck driver who caused a chain-reaction crash along a northeastern Indiana highway that killed a Michigan couple and another person will not face criminal charges in that crash, a prosecutor said.
Justices uphold $40K damages verdict despite challenged jury instruction
A man awarded $40,000 after a crash involving an 18-wheeler will not get a second damages trial after the Indiana Supreme Court rejected his challenge to a damages-mitigation jury instruction.
Federal judge rejects indicted ex-Celadon exec’s vacation plans
A federal judge has denied a request by a former executive of now-defunct Celadon Group Inc. to travel to a Mexican resort for a birthday celebration while he is awaiting trial on multiple fraud charges.
COA: Good Samaritan Law shields trucker who stopped on foggy road to call 911
The Indiana Court of Appeals has partially reversed the denial of summary judgment to a truck driver involved in a car accident after finding both he and his employer are entitled to protection under the Good Samaritan Law. The case attracted an amicus brief from the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Trucker charged with drug use before Indiana crash killed 4
A semitrailer was going 72 mph when it crashed into a car that had slowed for an Indiana highway construction zone, killing four young siblings, authorities said.
Semi driver in I-465 crash that killed mom, twin toddlers gets 9 years
Nearly one year after the fatal crash that claimed the lives of a mother and her twin toddlers, the semi driver who earlier this year pleaded guilty but mentally ill in the incident has been sentenced to nine years in the Indiana Department of Correction.