Trucking Industry Concerns 2025: Economy, Lawsuits & Insurance

2 months ago
3Minutes

By Ahsan Ali

The trucking world is heading into 2025 with growing worries about money, lawsuits, and rising insurance prices. A new study from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) shows that the economy remains the biggest problem facing trucking companies this year.

The 2025 ATRI Top Industry Issues Report, released on October 26, found that the economy has been the top concern for three years in a row. Lawsuit abuse reform and insurance costs have both climbed higher on the list, taking second and third place. Four new problems also appeared in the top ten.

“We’re now in the third year of a long freight recession, and it’s really hurting,” said Andy Owens, president of A&M Transport. “Costs to operate are higher than ever, but freight prices have dropped to their lowest point. ATRI’s yearly report helps us understand these challenges and figure out how we can solve them together as an industry.”

The economy earned an index score of 100, showing it’s the biggest concern overall. The report explained that after two tough years of low freight demand and weak shipping rates, new tariffs have made things even harder. Former President Donald Trump’s trade policies have brought tariffs back into focus, increasing costs and adding more uncertainty for trucking businesses already under pressure.

(Transport Topics via American Transportation Research Institute)

Lawsuit abuse reform ranked second with a score of 71.6, while insurance costs and availability came in third at 69. Lawsuit reform reached its highest ranking in the 21 years ATRI has tracked it. Following those were truck parking (62.5), driver pay (59), safety and compliance (53.4), and English-language skills for drivers (52.8).

More than 4,200 people took part in this year’s survey — a 14% increase from last year. About 46% were trucking company leaders or employees, 30% were drivers, and 23% represented suppliers, trainers, and law enforcement.

A shortage of truck parking, once one of the biggest issues, dropped two spots this year. Driver training standards, which hadn’t appeared since 2019, returned to the list at number nine overall. Among drivers, the top three concerns were pay, parking, and English-language skills. For motor carriers, the leading problems were the economy, lawsuit reform, and insurance costs.

Four new issues entered the top ten this year: English-language proficiency (No. 7), diesel emissions rules (No. 8), driver training standards (No. 9), and artificial intelligence in trucking (No. 10).

The rise of driver training and AI on the list shows how quickly the industry is changing. As technology, automation, and digital systems take over more parts of the supply chain, trucking companies are racing to keep up with the new reality of modern transportation.

Author Profile

Ahsan Ali

Ahsan Ali is a technology and business journalist who covers the latest developments in autonomous vehicles and innovative startups.

With a sharp eye for industry trends, he breaks down complex tech stories into clear, engaging insights for general readers.