Hawkins Parnell Wins California Appeal in $60 Million Trucking Case

October 21, 2026 (Riverside, CA) – Hawkins Parnell secured a victory in the California Court of Appeal, which affirmed a defense verdict in a trucking accident case involving nearly $60 million in damages. Partners Melanie Smith and Ryan Sellers represented the tractor-trailer driver and Qualitas Insurance Company on appeal before the Fourth Appellate District.

The case arose from a collision on Interstate 10 in which an intoxicated driver struck the rear of the client's tractor-trailer, seriously injuring their passenger. A Riverside County jury found the truck driver was not negligent, leaving the intoxicated driver solely liable for nearly $60 million in damages.

On appeal, the intoxicated driver argued that defense counsel's closing arguments and the defense accident reconstruction expert's testimony tainted the verdict. The Court of Appeal rejected the challenges, finding insufficient support for claims of attorney misconduct and concluding that the evidence, rather than speculation, supported the expert's opinions. The court affirmed the judgment and awarded costs to Hawkins Parnell's clients on appeal.

The case is Doyle v. Colglazier, No. E084925 (Cal. Ct. App., Oct. 9, 2026).

About Hawkins Parnell & Young

Hawkins Parnell & Young is a national defense litigation firm that has represented many of the largest and most well-known companies in high-risk litigation and business disputes. The 250-strong litigation team works with clients to develop winning defense strategies and, if necessary, try cases to verdict in all 50 states.