Accident Attorneys Conclude National Symposium, Launch Highway Safety Initiative

ATLANTA, Ga. (September 20, 2025) - Leading accident attorneys from across the country wrapped up the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys’ (ATAA) annual symposium today in Atlanta, unveiling a new road-safety advocacy campaign.

In its “Safety First” initiative, the ATAA pledged to collaborate with highway regulators and trucking firms to reduce commercial vehicle crashes by improving driver training and promoting advanced collision-avoidance technologies. The campaign was launched during the symposium’s closing plenary, where more than 300 trial lawyers, paralegals and safety experts gathered to discuss emerging trends in trucking litigation and traffic-safety policy.

Symposium Highlights and Relevance

The three-day event, held September 18-20 at the Georgia World Congress Center, drew seasoned litigators and new practitioners alike. Sessions focused on recent regulatory changes impacting large commercial vehicles, strategies for handling multidistrict trucking tort cases and best practices for preserving electronic evidence from vehicle telematics. The symposium underscored the legal community’s role in shaping safer roads and more accountable carriers.

Keynote Insights and Policy Push

In a keynote address, ATAA President Maria Lopez emphasized the increasing complexity of trucking-related claims and the pressing need for preventive measures. “We can’t litigate our way out of every crash,” she declared. “By advocating for smarter infrastructure and stricter training standards today, we can reduce the harm we see in courtrooms tomorrow.” Attendees later endorsed a policy white paper recommending uniform nationwide driver-qualification rules and mandatory rollout of collision-mitigation systems in all heavy-duty trucks.

Ongoing Education and Member Resources

Beyond policy advocacy, the ATAA announced its 2026 webinar schedule, offering continuing legal education on topics such as cross-border freight liability and trial tactics for high-value wrongful-death actions. Members will gain access to a refreshed digital resource library featuring model motions, deposition checklists and a peer-reviewed database of appellate decisions.

Outlook and Next Steps

With the newly minted “Safety First” campaign, ATAA plans to partner with state legislators this fall to introduce pilot programs in high-risk corridors and fund public-awareness drives targeting both professional drivers and the motoring public. The organization aims to report early results at next year’s symposium, continuing its mission to blend legal expertise with proactive road-safety solutions.