Knight Is In Deep Doo Doo!

I can't speak to Knight specifically . . you can probably get an answer from their annual report or, if I remember correctly, it might be available on a DOT site.

Generally, as is the case with (most and) one large carrier I'm familiar with, self insurance covers the first X million (4 in it's case), then the insurance company kicks in. Think of it as a high deductible policy. Then you might have one company that covers you for 5 - 10 million and yet another for 11 and up. That information came from another case I was interested in.

In Knight's case, it's exposure or liability appears to have arisen during the commission of a crime. I'm not aware of any insurance that covers crime. Further, remember the sanction: The judge has basically told Knight (thus it's insurers) she's not going to allow them to defend themselves. My guess is the insurance company will tell Knight "No defense, no pay!", among other things.

As for an appeal, remember again, the judge has basically built a box around the accident itself and told Knight they can't touch it. If Knight can't "dissect" the accident, it eliminates a lot of the issues that traditionally form the basis for an appeal.

She further said that Knight can defend the extent of their blame but she made it clear that she'll allow the plaintiff to bring up the fact that Knight tried to cover it up which would lead a prudent juror to ask "Well, why did Knight try to cover it up?" "Because they're to blame, perhaps?" It takes a lot of the heat of the dead kid and the victims themselves.

Anything is possible and Knight could get out of it. I don't see how but, you're right, it's possible.

 

1. Correct. They already have; it's been four + years. Read the previous post as to an appeal.

2. Good luck to them on this one. The judge opened the door to punitive damages due entirely to Knight's behavior.

3. They all do, big and small. The lawyers have a job to do and that job is to defend their client at least until the money runs out.