Trucking industry urges civil-justice changes, warns insurance crisis is forcing carriers off roads

Representatives of Georgia’s trucking industry told the House Transportation Committee that recent increases in litigation costs and difficulty obtaining insurance are causing some carriers to curtail operations, halt routes or exit the market, and urged lawmakers to advance civil‑justice changes.

Seth McMillan, an industry representative who introduced the witnesses, said trucking is central to Georgia’s economy and that the sector is seeing strains on insurance markets. McMillan introduced board members from industry groups and said Georgia has about "105,000 registered DOT numbers in the state of Georgia." He said trucking supports a large share of local communities and that the industry is seeking legislative solutions during the session.

Charles Tarbutton, president of BH Transfer and chair of the Georgia Motor Trucking Association, told the committee the industry supports fair compensation for bona fide injuries but said…