Copyright FreightWaves
At the same time, the pressure of litigation is shifting from the periphery to the front lines. Lawsuit abuse reform vaulted up the list of industry concerns, as carriers face increasingly aggressive litigation tactics, including third-party plaintiff funding and “nuclear verdicts” that can exceed eight or nine figures. Insurance is another headline pain point. With premiums increasing and availability sometimes constrained, carriers say the cost of coverage has become a key factor in strategic decision-making. According to Truckstop.com, “Smaller carriers pay almost 90% more per mile on premiums. High dollar verdicts against larger companies have increased 51.7%, and the shortage of trucking insurance companies is making it harder for all companies to get adequate coverage.” Carriers may worry over cost stacks and litigation, but for owner-operators, the emphasis is more on their broker relationships and access to safe parking. In fact, broker-related issues rose to the top of the list of concerns for this group. Payment delays, double-brokering schemes, rate opacity and communication breakdowns drive instability and erode trust in what is supposed to be a business-to-business partnership. One of the less-reported shifts is how workforce and regulatory issues are emerging as new top concerns. For instance, for the first time, “English language proficiency for drivers” and “artificial intelligence in trucking” made notable appearances on ATRI’s list. These critical issues suggest the industry is stretching beyond its traditional operational concerns and beginning to address deeper structural questions: how will automation reshape work? How will regulatory burdens evolve? How will the industry adapt its labor base to emerging technologies and demographic shifts? The conversation is shifting from volume growth to resilience. When freight volumes were booming, carriers could absorb inefficiencies and risk. In the current environment, the margin for error is thin. Companies and owner-operators alike must focus on cost discipline, risk mitigation, contractual clarity, and operational agility. The environment demands adaptability rather than just capacity expansion. It is not too dramatic to say that 2025 is a pivot year. With constant uncertainty surrounding global trade and domestic policies. Costs are rising and carriers have to be resilient and adaptable to make it through until the market sees stronger stabilization.
