The fleet risk playbook: Winning strategies for 2026

A new era of transportation risk

You’re navigating a perfect storm of volatility, liability and technology. Freight markets swing unpredictably, liability exposure continues to climb and technology reshapes how hazards are assessed and evaluated. Rising litigation costs and high-dollar verdicts amplify pressure on fleets, making proactive risk management more critical than ever. If you fail to act on metrics, you’re not just falling behind — you’re steering straight into the eye of the storm.

“Risk management today is about clarity and capability,” says Dan Cook, principal and practice leader at TrueNorth Companies. “Fleets that act on insights, not assumptions, will outperform in safety and cost control.”

Cook has spent decades advising fleets through periods of disruption. His experience across a wide range of carrier operations offers a clear view into how risk, safety and performance intersect. Interviewed at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exhibition, Cook outlined why clarity and capability have become the new currency in risk management and what you must do to stay ahead.

Closing resource gaps in a high-pressure environment

You’ve probably been told to “be more efficient,” but efficiency is rarely your core issue. The real challenge is scale. Risk, data and compliance demands accelerate while staffing levels and budgets remain largely unchanged.

Start here:

• Focus on the most important weighted CSA categories for enforcement and insurance
• Prioritize telematics trends to identify high-risk behaviors
• Strengthen compliance programs to reduce audit exposure
• Implement structured coaching programs for drivers

Workforce development remains a key part of this equation. Structured driver coaching and ongoing performance monitoring often lead to stronger retention and more consistent safety outcomes.

Focus on the “vital view” hazards instead of trying to address everything at once.

Turning fleet data into decisive action

Technology makes it easier than ever to collect data, but data alone doesn’t reduce risk. Here’s what really drives results:

• Translate findings into action with the right tools
• Pair telematics with safety data and operational analytics
• Combine insights with structured coaching programs

Every truck generates signals that insurers, regulators and business partners track in aggregate. These patterns act as early warnings. Ignoring them means consequences escalate. Acting on trends strengthens operations and reduces legal exposure. Over time, these practices work like shock absorbers, helping fleets weather volatility in insurance, litigation and market cycles.

Industry analysts consistently find that fleets combining telematics, safety data and operational analytics — especially when paired with structured coaching — see meaningful reductions in accidents and improved safety outcomes.

Fleets that integrate emerging technologies such as AI-driven route optimization and predictive maintenance gain additional advantages in efficiency and reliability.

Protect your fleet from nuclear verdicts

Skyrocketing nuclear verdicts drive insurance rates to unsustainable levels, putting fleets at risk of closure. The median verdict reached $36 million in 2022, a nearly 50% increase from 2013, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. These verdicts reshape insurance markets and threaten fleet survival. Plaintiff attorneys increasingly target systemic gaps in hiring practices, compliance oversight and safety culture. Don’t let minor oversights become evidence of negligence.

Your defense strategy:

• Build a visible safety culture that demonstrates accountability
• Leverage telematics and analytics to document proactive measures
• Maintain audit-ready records for compliance reviews
• Document proactively to close gaps before litigation arises

These steps do more than limit legal exposure. They stabilize your long-term risk profile and help control insurance costs.

Own the next move for your fleet strategy

Fleets that harness insights from telematics, compliance analytics and operational best practices build a foundation for informed decision-making and proactive problem-solving. Resilient organizations model accountability, anticipate challenges and empower teams to act on insights.

Looking to strengthen your fleet risk strategy? Our team can help you reduce exposure and improve performance.

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