Transportation Litigation

Liability Defense for Transportation Companies

Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial's attorneys in the Transportation Litigation Group represent many major trucking and transport companies in Georgia and across the United States in catastrophic personal injury, cargo and property loss, and tariff-related cases as well as employment matters in the transportation sector.

Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial’s attorneys excel in high risk cases. Perhaps no other industry faces greater tort law risks than the transportation industry regarding catastrophic injuries, wrongful death and mass litigation.

The group’s attorneys present the right combination of legal expertise with a thorough understanding of all relevant governmental agencies, such as the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Surface Transportation Board and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Recent Transportation Litigation Cases

The group’s defense attorneys have provided counsel throughout the country in cases relating to virtually every aspect of the transportation industry. Cases have involved a variety of vehicle components, including brakes, tires, electrical, and fuel and suspension systems, on a wide variety of vehicles, including automobiles, trains, buses and motor coaches, tractor trailers, and waste disposal trucks.

• Represented trucking company and driver against multiple wrongful death claims in a collision in which a gasoline tanker flipped over on a notoriously tight curve of the Florida Turnpike and pinned a car with four adults to a guardrail. All cases were collectively settled for less than $4 million.
• Defended a client who struck a parked vehicle in Tennessee, injuring all four occupants. The verdict was $2.2 million less than the plaintiffs’ last demand. 
• Represented national charter bus company in three separate attacks that occured near September 11th. The Firm was National Coordinating Counsel for all 31 claims and served as lead counsel in cases in Tennessee and Georgia. All suits were favorably settled for the Firm's client.
• Defended national vehicle transport company in four separate lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions in Florida arising from a two vehicle construction zone accident resulting in two deaths. Cases were resolved short of trial for a fraction of the value of collective demands.
• Defense of government contractor in accidents arising from transportation activities during wartime in Iraq, including the landmark decision in Carmichael v. Kellogg, Brown & Root.
• Represented trucking company in multiple death and injury claims in an accident caused by a truck driver who was allegedly on duty for 36 hours in violation of regulations. The truck rear-ended a sedan and the sedan was subsequently pushed into a parked school bus. All cases were favorably settled for the defense and the Firm twice defeated Plaintiffs' motions to amend for punitive damages. 
• Successfully defended a fleet operator in a Georgia case involving an allegedly defective brake system which led to five deaths and severe brain injuries to a child. The case resulted in a mistrial, and then settled on favorable terms.
• Represented an insurance company in a train derailment which caused the release of chlorine gas killing nine people, resulted in numerous injuries, extensive property damage and shut down plaintiff's production facilities. Over 5,500 people affected by the accident. Cases were settled. 
• Obtained a favorable verdict for an international bottling company in an Arkansas accident case involving a severe brain injury to a young child and the deaths of two siblings.
• Obtained favorable settlement during second day of trial in Las Vegas while defending a major pipe manufacturer in a transportation case involving the death of four adults and two children in Barstow, California.   
• Successfully defended a trailer manufacturer in a New Mexico case regarding an overturned vehicle and trailer, resulting in massive brain injuries.
• The Firm was called upon weeks before trial to handle a Missouri case involving a rear-end collision of a tractor-trailer and a farm tractor, causing significant brain and orthopedic injuries to the farmer. The case was settled just before the closing argument for the amount of the last defense offer.

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