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In this episode, we sit down with personal injury attorney Aaron to discuss the staggering financial risks facing motor carriers today. From the rise of "nuclear verdicts" to the legal traps that can leave small fleets personally liable, we break down why the industry is currently under-insured and over-exposed.

We dive deep into the legal and insurance mechanisms that every owner-operator and fleet manager needs to understand to survive in today's litigious environment.

The "Reptile Theory" Explained: How plaintiff attorneys leverage jury emotions and anger against corporations to spark massive, "nuclear" awards.

Get in Touch with Aaron Setareh,
Instagram handle: attorney_aaron

Email: ars@bdj.com

Website: bdj.com


The $750k Insurance Trap: Why the federal minimum liability limit—set in the 1980s—is dangerously outdated compared to modern medical costs and life care plans.

MCS-90 & Underreporting Drivers: The severe consequences of misleading your insurer, including the right of the insurance company to seek reimbursement directly from you.

Joint and Several Liability: A terrifying reality where you can be held responsible for 100% of the damages even if you were only minimally at fault.

The "Get Your Own Lawyer" Warning: What it means when your insurance company tells you to hire independent counsel
00:00 – Meet Attorney Aaron: An introduction to Aaron and his personal injury practice in California and Nevada.


01:00 – What are Nuclear Verdicts?: Discussing the massive jury awards and how "Reptile Theory" is used to spark them.



02:53 – Why Trucking Premiums are Skyrocketing: The impact of rising medical costs and underreporting drivers.


04:00 – The Outdated $750k Minimum: Why federal insurance limits haven't kept pace with modern expenses.



06:45 – The Reality of a Pile-up: How a single multi-vehicle accident can instantly swallow a $750,000 policy.



09:20 – The "Mom and Pop" Risk: Why small fleets are particularly vulnerable to total bankruptcy.


10:30 – Denied Coverage & Bad Faith: What happens when an insurance carrier denies a claim due to unreported drivers.


14:40 – Insurance Companies on the Attack: Why insurers fight claims aggressively to protect their own policy limits.



15:30 – "Get Your Own Lawyer": What it means for your exposure when your insurer tells you to hire independent counsel.




19:40 – The MCS-90 Endorsement: Explaining how this federal requirement can lead to the insurer suing the trucking company for reimbursement.


25:35 – Joint and Several Liability: The "legal trap" where you pay for damages even if the accident wasn't your fault.




28:30 – Case Study: A real-world example of how low liability limits and joint liability devastated a claim in 2002.

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The Chemistry of Savings
In this episode of the Trucking Risk and Insurance Podcast, we sit down with Brian Livingston, a chemical engineer and veteran of Caterpillar's diesel engine division. Brian breaks down a unique catalytic technology that is helping trucking companies save 3% to 5% in fuel costs while significantly reducing their environmental footprint.

Brian explains the "cracking" process—how a simple-looking copper tube filled with rare earth catalysts can break down long-chain hydrocarbons into shorter, more efficient burning chains. The result? More energy pushing the piston and less soot clogging your engine.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
The Science of "Cracking": How catalytic reactions break down diesel fuel molecules for a more efficient burn.

Massive Maintenance Gains: Why reducing soot by up to 50% leads to fewer DPF regenerations and longer engine life.

The 12-Month Payback: How the 100% ROI on this technology makes it an easy "yes" for any CFO or fleet manager.

Sustainability That Pays: Why you don't have to wait for electric or hydrogen trucks to start reducing your carbon footprint today.

Simple Retrofitting: How this device can be installed in under an hour without any engine recalibration.

Whether you are looking to survive rising fuel prices or meet new sustainability goals, Brian’s "common sense" approach to chemical engineering offers a practical solution for the modern fleet.


Connect with Brian Livingston:


Company Website: Zelcam.com


Savings Calculator: Decarbonize5.com


Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and leave a comment below!


Your Hosts:
John Farquhar
National Risk Services Specialist, Transportation, Gallager GGB
https://www.ajg.com/ca/
M: 437-341-0932
John_Farquhar@ajg.com

Chris Harris
CEO, Safety Dawg Inc.
905 973 7056
Chris@SafetyDawg.com
https://safetydawg.com/
"The Chemistry of Savings: How 'Cracking' Fuel Can Cut Trucking Costs by 5%"

**00:00** – Introduction: Meeting Brian Livingston, the Chemical Engineer

**01:07** – Brian’s Background: 20 Years at Caterpillar and the move to Zelcam

**03:47** – The Tech Explained: How a copper tube and rare earth catalysts save fuel

**04:50** – Breaking the Molecules: The "Cracking" process of diesel fuel

**06:46** – Emissions Impact: Reducing soot by 50% and fewer DPF regenerations

**08:54** – Beyond the Highway: Applications in mining, rail, and shipping

**10:22** – Maintenance and Longevity: Keeping oil clean and extending engine life

**13:13** – Why wait for EV? Implementing sustainability solutions right now

**16:24** – Installation and Retrofitting: A 60-minute setup for the fleet

**17:33** – The Financials: Understanding the 12-month ROI

**18:30** – How long does it last? The "forever" catalyst

**19:57** – Moving the device to new vehicles during fleet cycles

**22:43** – The OEM Question: Why isn't this standard on every truck?

**24:46** – Warranty, Guarantees, and Closing Thoughts

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Special Offer for Podcast Listeners
For listeners who want to explore how video telematics can move the needle on risk, driver engagement, and operational savings, SureCam has created a dedicated page with an exclusive offer.

Visit: https://join.surecam.com/gyeid4
to schedule a demo and lock in your special offer.
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Is your safety department stuck in the past? 🚛 🛡️

In this episode of the Trucking Risk and Insurance Podcast, we kick off 2026 by diving deep into the evolution of in-cab camera technology. We are joined by John Weldon, President of SureCam, to discuss how video telematics is moving beyond simple "big brother" monitoring to become a tool for driver retention, real-time coaching, and massive risk reduction.

John breaks down why traditional telematics is only one leg of a "three-legged stool" and explains how SureCam's AI-powered "nudging" technology helps drivers correct unsafe behaviors in real-time—before an alert ever reaches the manager's desk.

In this episode, we cover: ✅ Context vs. Data: Why you need more than just a speeding alert to understand a crash. ✅ The Power of 360°: Using mirror, backup, and cargo mounts to eliminate blind spots. ✅ Reducing Alert Fatigue: How to filter the "noise" so safety managers can focus on what actually matters. ✅ Culture over Coaching: Implementing a "Driver Bill of Rights" and using gamification to reward your top performers. ✅ Privacy by Design: Using geofencing and face-blurring to respect driver boundaries.

If you’re looking to manage your safety department like an expert without the 30-year learning curve, this is a must-watch!
Guest Bio
John Weldon is President of SureCam and a leading voice in video telematics, fleet risk reduction, and the practical use of AI for field operations. Drawing on years of experience helping fleets lower incident rates, improve driver retention, and achieve operational ROI, John brings a grounded, data-driven perspective on where fleet safety is headed and what technology alone cannot solve.

Connect with John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-weldon-b27ab611/

About SureCam
SureCam is a fleet safety and video telematics platform designed for companies that want better results with less effort. The technology combines AI-powered dash cameras, automated safety workflows, and coaching tools that help organizations reduce risk, protect drivers, and streamline operations. Fleet leaders choose SureCam because it delivers the visibility they need without adding administrative burden, and it scales easily from single vehicles to large, distributed fleets.

Learn more at https://join.surecam.com/r4fgoj7s49pk.

Special Offer for Podcast Listeners
For listeners who want to explore how video telematics can move the needle on risk, driver engagement, and operational savings, SureCam has created a dedicated page with an exclusive offer.

Visit https://join.surecam.com/gyeid4
to schedule a demo and lock in your special offer.

Support the show