Lawsuit abuse and insurance costs remain the top two concerns facing Louisiana's trucking industry, according to the American Transportation Research Institute's (ATRI) 2026 Louisiana Top Industry Issues survey. The annual survey, which identifies the most pressing challenges facing motor carriers and trucking professionals, reveals a continued divide between Louisiana's priorities and those of the trucking industry nationwide.

While fuel prices ranked as the number one concern among trucking professionals nationally, Louisiana respondents identified lawsuit abuse reform and insurance cost and availability as their first and second priorities, respectively. Fuel prices ranked third in Louisiana, underscoring the continued significance of the state's legal and insurance climate to trucking businesses.

"While truckers across the country are most concerned about fuel prices, Louisiana trucking companies are still fighting a different battle," said Renee Amar, LMTA Executive Director. "For another year, lawsuit abuse and insurance costs have topped the list of challenges facing our industry. This should send a clear message to lawmakers that Louisiana's legal climate continues to put our trucking companies at a disadvantage. Fuel prices affect every trucker in America, but our members are telling us that the cost of lawsuits and insurance is an even greater concern here at home."

The findings reinforce LMTA's continued calls for meaningful legal reform aimed at reducing excessive litigation costs and improving insurance affordability. Among the priorities identified by Louisiana respondents are eliminating "phantom" medical damages, establishing limits on non-economic and punitive damages in truck-involved crashes, and increasing transparency or an outright ban on third party litigation funding.

"Louisiana's trucking industry has made its priorities clear, and these concerns are not going away," Amar continued. "While some lawmakers are celebrating incremental progress, our trucking companies are still waiting for meaningful relief. Half measures and political victories do little for the businesses struggling to afford insurance and keep their trucks on the road. We need bold, substantive reforms that address the root of the problem, not legislation that allows lawmakers to declare victory while our industry continues to bear the cost. Until we see real results, lawsuit abuse and insurance affordability will remain at the forefront of our advocacy efforts."

Louisiana's Top 10 Trucking Industry Issues for 2026:

• Lawsuit Abuse Reform
• Insurance Cost / Availability
• Fuel Prices
• Driver Shortage
• Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
• Driver Compensation
• Driver Distraction
• Driver Retention
• Economy
• Hours-of-Service (HOS)

Nationally, the top five concerns were fuel prices, lawsuit abuse reform, CSA, insurance cost and availability, and the driver shortage. Although the rankings differ, the results demonstrate that legal reform, insurance affordability and regulatory compliance remain significant concerns for trucking companies across the country.

• ATRI's Release: Fuel Prices Emerge as the Trucking Industry’s Top Concern
• ATRI: Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry – 2026
• ATRI: Louisiana Top Industry Issues Report 2026