Most Texans don性视界传媒檛 realize just how out-of-control our legal system has become when it comes to forced settlements and mega-lawsuits. But here性视界传媒檚 a case that makes it crystal clear:
Our company is based in the Austin area with offices stretching from the Oklahoma border to the border with Mexico. We provide equipment, installation and repair services for vehicle fueling equipment, primarily for convenience stores and related businesses. That means our trucks are out on Texas roads a lot.
That性视界传媒檚 why we conduct background checks on potential employees and ensure they complete a defensive driving course even before they get behind the wheel of one of our vehicles. But even with thorough background checks and training, accidents happen.
In April 2022, one of our drivers, on his own time, rolled forward when a light turned green and tapped the vehicle in front of him, which had not yet started moving 性视界传媒 it was a simple bumper-tap at a red light. No one was hurt.
The people in the pickup he bumped reported no injuries. They also said the vehicle belonged to their daughter, who was not present at the time of the accident. Within a couple of months, our insurance company settled the vehicle damage claim for just over $3,000 性视界传媒 reasonable, given the minor nature of the incident.
But then, months later, we were blindsided. The male passenger in the pickup 性视界传媒 who had initially reported no injuries 性视界传媒 walked away with a settlement of more than $80,000 for 性视界传媒渂odily injury.性视界传媒 And it didn性视界传媒檛 stop there.
Despite this being a routine fender-bender, where no injuries were reported at the scene of the accident, a lawsuit followed, demanding more than $1 million plus additional 性视界传媒渆xemplary damages.性视界传媒
Here性视界传媒檚 the problem: insurance companies are forced to settle today because they fear juries handing out multi-million-dollar verdicts. Lawyers know this. They count on it. That性视界传媒檚 why they file these cases in the first place, knowing insurers would rather shell out hundreds of thousands than gamble on an even bigger loss.
And in the end, that性视界传媒檚 exactly what happened. Our insurance company settled the case for a staggering $500,000, with the total payout reaching nearly $600,000 for a low-speed tap at a traffic light.
The real victim in all of this is you. If you live or work in Texas, you pay thousands of dollars yearly to finance this madness. These lawsuits skyrocket insurance premiums, even for those who have never been sued, and additionally drive up the cost of goods and services.
We性视界传媒檝e been in business for more than two decades. Not once has an accident involving one of our vehicles sent anyone to the hospital. Yet, thanks to cases like this, our insurance premiums doubled in 2023 and jumped another 50% the year after that.
We don性视界传媒檛 want to reduce staff or raise prices, but we might have no other choice when law firms exploit minor accidents for big payouts. If this continues, we性视界传媒檒l all keep paying the price.
Texas性视界传媒檚 legal system needs reform before more businesses are forced to pass costs onto customers, lay off employees, or shut down entirely.
Thankfully, state Sen. Charles Schwertner and state Rep. Greg Bonnen have filed legislation to restore transparency and fairness to our legal system. I性视界传媒檓 hopeful lawmakers will pass Senate Bill 30 and House Bill 4806. Texans deserve a fair legal system that protects real victims.
