Manufacturing & Transport
What happens when the client asks, “that does not make any sense, why is that the law” and their counsel listens instead of responding, “well it has always been that way?” Read Ford Motor Company v Ledesma, 242 S.W.3d 32 (Tex. 2007) for an example of how a client can make a difference when paired with the right counsel.
We have represented one of the U.S. “Big Three” vehicular manufacturers as regional coordinating counsel in litigation throughout Texas. Our lawyers have defended a number of cases alleging equipment malfunction and other similar products liability matters, and have secured several precedent-setting appellate victories. And, that representation has occurred during some of the most trying times for a client.
We bring to each of these cases a combination of trial and negotiating skill, case management sophistication, solid technical knowledge and innovative trial and negotiation strategies—and then we work closely with in-house counsel for the successful defense of our client. We also bring a sense of long-term perspective which can only be gained from real trial and appellate experience.
Other Manufacturer Litigation
Because of the size and complexity of their business activities, the vehicle and equipment manufacturers that we represent are involved in litigation encompassing a host of contract disputes and business torts. Our lawyers have the technical knowledge and courtroom skill to represent our clients in lawsuits alleging breach of contract claims, and in distribution and franchising disputes with vehicle and equipment dealers.
Thompson Coe is one of a handful of law firms with lawyers trained in the use and application of GPS satellite tracking systems used by the trucking industry. These systems often provide crucial evidence on vehicle location and driver hours on the road, which can be invaluable in establishing the facts of accidents when compared to often imprecise witness accounts.
Thompson Coe defends motor carriers and transportation-related businesses when they face trials of bodily injury and death cases arising from highway accidents. Our clients are a variety of interstate and intrastate carriers, ranging from a national trucking company with more than 6,000 tractors and additional air freight operations, to small firms with five or fewer trucks. Thompson Coe fully understands the competitive needs as well as the unique regulatory structure of the trucking industry. Our firm is an active member of the Transportation Lawyers Association, the Trucking Industry Defense Association, and the Trucking Law sub-committee of the Defense Research Institute.
Transport Industry Litigation
Our lawyers apply superior litigation skills to work in partnership with our clients and their insurers to resolve injury and damage lawsuits. Because of our extensive insurance defense and product liability practices, we work in partnership with reputable engineering firms to provide Rapid Response Teams for severe accidents.
Our emphasis on timely accident investigation and early retention of experts has absolved our clients from injury or damage liability in numerous cases. We are frequently able to exclude plaintiffs’ expert witnesses based on the strength of our own investigation and testimony, positioning our clients for favorable settlement, summary judgment or defense verdict.