Top Trucking Issues 2026: What Small Fleets Should Do
By iAgency
The trucking industry just told researchers what keeps it up at night. Each fall, the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) asks carriers and drivers to rank their biggest concerns. The 2026 list came out on October 18 at the American Trucking Associations conference in Charlotte, and it holds useful signals for every owner-operator and small fleet. Some of the news is tough. Some of it is quietly good. All of it points to steps you can take this quarter.
Key takeaways
Fuel jumped to No. 1. Fuel prices climbed 17 spots to lead the list for 2026.
The economy fell to No. 6. It had been the top issue for three straight years, and freight rates have recovered since late 2025 as capacity tightened.
Lawsuits and insurance stay near the top. Lawsuit abuse reform ranked No. 2 and insurance cost and availability ranked No. 4.
CSA is back in focus. CSA scores reached the top 5 for the first time since 2020.
What the 2026 ATRI survey found
More than 3,000 people answered the survey between late August and early October. About half were motor carrier executives and staff, and about a quarter were professional drivers. Each person picked their three most pressing issues from a list of 27, and ATRI weighted the votes to build the ranking.
The top 10 for 2026, as reported by FleetOwner:
Fuel prices
Lawsuit abuse reform
CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability)
Insurance cost and availability
Driver shortage
Economy
Artificial intelligence
Diesel emissions regulations
Driver compensation
Driver retention
Truck parking slipped to No. 11, its first time outside the top 10 since 2012. It is still the No. 2 concern among drivers alone, so the problem has not gone away.
The good news inside the list
It is easy to read a list of worries and feel worse. But the drop of the economy from first to sixth is a real signal. For three years, carriers said weak freight was the biggest threat to their business. Now, with rates recovering, that worry has moved down the line. We covered the rate picture in Truckload Rates Rising: How Small Fleets Can Win Now.
There is also progress on lawsuits. Panelists pointed to Georgia's 2025 civil litigation law, which added transparency around third-party litigation funding, as a model other state trucking associations can follow. Speakers noted lower premiums in Georgia since the reform, though the article was careful to say the data does not prove how much of that change came from the law.
Why lawsuits and insurance rank so high
Executives ranked lawsuit abuse reform as their No. 1 concern. ATRI research cited in the coverage found median "nuclear verdicts" in seven states ranging from $13.2 million to $213.2 million. Even a carrier that wins in court can spend heavily on defense.
Those verdicts flow straight into what insurers charge. ATRI's cost research shows premiums rose 3.9% in 2025, and insurance has now been a top-5 issue for three straight years. If you want the full picture of what moves your rate, read why truck insurance premiums increase.
Five moves for small fleets this quarter
You cannot change jury awards on your own. You can control how your operation looks to an underwriter and how well you can defend a claim.
Turn on your data. Dash cams and ELD records help explain what really happened in a crash. Speakers at the event noted that suppliers can help carriers use data to defend claims.
Clean up your CSA profile. Check your scores now. Challenge wrong inspection or crash records through DataQs, and keep the paperwork.
Write down your safety program. Hiring standards, driver training and vehicle maintenance logs all matter at renewal. Our risk control services team can help you build one.
Review your liability limits. Ask whether your primary limit fits the lanes and loads you run, and whether excess limits make sense for you.
Start renewal early. Shopping 60 to 90 days out gives you time to compare options instead of taking whatever arrives last-minute.
What it means for drivers
Drivers ranked fuel prices, truck parking, driver compensation, autonomous trucks and English language proficiency as their top concerns. Fleets that listen to those worries, plan safe parking and keep pay fair tend to keep good drivers longer. Driver retention returned to the top 10 this year, so this matters to the bottom line too.
If you are ready to see where your coverage stands, start an online quote or call us and we will go through it with you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ATRI Top Industry Issues survey?
It is a yearly survey by the American Transportation Research Institute that asks carriers, drivers and other industry members to rank trucking's most pressing concerns. 2026 was its 22nd edition.
Why did the economy drop so far on the list?
Freight rates have recovered since late 2025 as for-hire capacity declined, so fewer respondents saw the economy as their top problem.
Do nuclear verdicts affect small fleets or only big carriers?
They affect the whole market. Large awards raise what insurers expect to pay on claims, and that shows up in premiums for carriers of every size.
How can I lower my insurance cost?
There is no guarantee, but a clean CSA profile, a written safety program, camera and ELD data, and an early start on renewal all help an underwriter see you as a better risk.
About iAgency
iAgency is a commercial trucking insurance agency for owner-operators, small fleets and the partners who support them. Call or text 469-501-1071, email coi@iagency.biz for certificates, or get an online quote.
Source: FleetOwner, Trucking industry's greatest concern: Fuel prices (Oct. 19, 2026). Additional detail from TheTrucker.com coverage of the ATRI presentation (Oct. 20, 2026).
Photo: Hector O'Connor on Unsplash.
This article is general information, not coverage or legal advice. Coverage depends on your policy terms.