The attorneys at Wolfe & Wyman LLP have handled major transportation litigation for over 30 years. We have handled literally hundreds of such matters for a wide variety of clients, including:
- Insurance carriers under commercial automobile, trucking, and garage-keeper liability policies
- Self-insured trucking companies, including the largest FTL (“full truck load”) operator in North America with over 20,000 trucks in operation
- National retail grocery companies with in-house trucking fleets
Most cases settle, either through mediation or old-fashion negotiation, and the bulk of our transportation claims are no exception. We work collaboratively with our clients and use our years of experience and reputation in the industry to get the best settlements possible. However, there are times when even the most diligent settlement efforts fail, and we have successfully tried several transportation claims to verdict in front of juries. We also have defeated claims through dispositive motions such as motions for summary judgement and motions to dismiss.
Among our many recent cases, we currently are defending two of the largest transportation incidents in recent California history:
Merced Bus Crash (solo vehicle):
- 4 fatalities, 24
- We represent the target defendant bus operator
- Significant state-wide news coverage:
- http://www.kcra.com/article/4-dead-nearly-2-dozen-injured-in-merced-co-tour-bus-crash/6429914
- http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-merced-county-bus-crash-20160802-snap-story.html
Palm Springs Bus/Tractor Trailer Collision:
- 13 fatalities, 31 people injured
- We represent the tractor trailer
- Significant national news coverage:
- http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/23/us/california-bus-accident/
- http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-least-three-killed-in-california-truck-bus-crash-1477242636
In both of these matters, we were called upon to provide emergency response services including on-sight coordination regarding chain of evidence, aerial drone 3D site mapping, coordination with NTSB, CHP and other first responders, downloading and preserving all vehicle data recorders, and coordination and advice to operator employees. We are coordinating all the litigation that has been recently filed, including filing responsive pleadings and working with the courts to drive the administration of the multiple related suits.
We have a dedicated Emergency Response Team. Our coverage area includes some of the nation’s busiest metropolitan areas (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, etc.) as well some of the most rural and far away areas (CA central valley, NV and AZ deserts, etc.).