Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc

Note 19 —Contingencies and Legal Proceedings

Accounting Policy

The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation primarily arising in the normal course of business. The majority of these claims relate to workers' compensation, auto collision and liability, physical damage, and cargo damage, as well as certain class action litigation in which plaintiffs allege failure to provide meal and rest breaks, unpaid wages, unauthorized deductions, and other items. The Company accrues for the uninsured portion of claims losses and the gross amount of other losses when the likelihood of the loss is probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. These accruals are based on management's best estimate within a possible range of loss. When there is no amount within the range of loss that appears to be a better estimate than any other amount, then management accrues to the low end of the range. Legal fees are expensed as incurred.

When it is reasonably possible that exposure exists in excess of the related accrual (which could be no accrual), management discloses an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, unless an estimate cannot be determined (because, among other reasons, (1) the proceedings are in various stages that do not allow for assessment; (2) damages have not been sought; (3) damages are unsupported and/or exaggerated; (4) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals; and/or (5) there are significant factual issues to be resolved).

If the likelihood of a loss is remote, the Company does not accrue for the loss. However, if the likelihood of a loss is remote, but it is at least reasonably possible that one or more future confirming events may materially change management's estimate within twelve months from the date of the financial statements, management discloses an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, unless an estimate cannot be determined.

Legal Proceedings

The Company is party to certain legal proceedings incidental to its business. The majority of these claims relate to bodily injury, property damage, cargo and workers' compensation incurred in the transportation of freight, as well as certain class action litigation related to personnel and employment matters. We record a liability when we believe that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

Information is provided below regarding the nature, status, and contingent loss amounts, if any, associated with pending legal matters that may be material to the Company. There are inherent uncertainties in these legal matters, some of which are beyond management's control, making the ultimate outcomes difficult to predict. Moreover, management's views and estimates related to these matters may change in the future, as new events and circumstances arise and the matters continue to develop. Cash flows or results of operations could be materially affected in any particular period by the resolution of one or more of these contingencies.

The Company has made accruals with respect to its legal matters where appropriate, which are included in "Accrued liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has recorded an aggregate accrual of approximately $4.8 million and $11.0 million relating to the Company's outstanding legal proceedings as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Based on management's present knowledge of the facts and (in certain cases) advice of outside counsel, management does not believe that loss contingencies arising from pending matters are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's overall financial position, operating results, or cash flows after taking into account any existing accruals. However, actual outcomes could be material to the Company's financial position, operating results, or cash flows for any particular period.

SHAREHOLDER MATTERS - U.S. Xpress (Continued)

Recent Developments and Current Status

Tennessee State Court CasesThe Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint (the “Consolidated State Court Complaint”) filed on May 10, 2019 in the Circuit Court of Hamilton County, Tennessee against U.S. Xpress, five officers or directors, and the seven underwriters who participated in the IPO, alleges violations of Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The lawsuit is purportedly brought on behalf of a putative class.On November 13, 2020, the court presiding over the Tennessee State Court Cases entered an order, granting in part and denying in part the defendants’ Motions to Dismiss the Consolidated State Court Complaint. The court held that the plaintiffs failed to state a claim for violation of the Securities Act with respect to the majority of statements challenged as false or misleading in the Consolidated State Court Complaint. The court, however, held that the Consolidated State Court Complaint sufficiently alleged violations of the Securities Act with respect to one statement from the IPO registration statement and prospectus that the plaintiffs alleged to be false or misleading, both on theories of alleged misrepresentations and material omissions.New York State Court CaseOn March 14, 2019, a substantially similar putative class action complaint was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, by a different plaintiff alleging claims under Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act against the same defendants as in the Tennessee State Court Cases. On December 18, 2020, defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss or Stay the New York State Case both on the merits and in deference to the pending actions in Tennessee. On March 5, 2021, the court presiding over the New York State Case dismissed the case, and on January 13, 2022, the court entered a motion denying plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration.Federal Court CasesThe operative amended complaint was filed on October 8, 2019 (“Amended Federal Complaint”), which named the same defendants as the Tennessee State Court Cases. The Amended Federal Complaint is made on behalf of a putative class. In addition to claims for alleged violations of Section 11 and 15 of the Securities Act, the Amended Federal Complaint alleges violations of Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) against U.S. Xpress, its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer. On June 30, 2020, the court presiding over the Federal Court Cases issued its ruling granting in part and denying in part the defendants’ Motions to Dismiss the Amended Federal Complaint. The court dismissed entirely the plaintiffs’ claims for alleged violations of the Exchange Act and further held that the plaintiffs failed to state a claim for violation of the Securities Act with respect to the majority of statements challenged as false or misleading in the Amended Federal Complaint. The court, however, held that the Federal Amended Complaint sufficiently alleged violations of the Securities Act with respect to two statements from the IPO registration statement and prospectus that the plaintiffs alleged to be false or misleading, both on theories of alleged misrepresentations and material omissions.SettlementThe parties reached a settlement with the Federal Court and Tennessee State Court plaintiffs. On March 27, 2023, the parties filed the stipulation of settlement with the Federal Court, and on March 28, 2023, the Federal Court entered an order granting preliminary approval of the settlement. The Federal Court entered an order granting final approval of the settlement on July 12, 2023. The monetary component of the settlement in principle is to be paid by the applicable insurance carriers and is similar to the accrued amount. .

1 Individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated.

Other Environmental

The Company's tractors and trailers are involved in motor vehicle accidents, experience damage, mechanical failures and cargo issues as an incidental part of the normal ordinary course of operations. From time to time, these matters result in the discharge of diesel fuel, motor oil, or other hazardous materials into the environment. Depending on local regulations and who is determined to be at fault, the Company is sometimes responsible for the clean-up costs associated with these discharges. As of December 31, 2023, the Company's estimate for its total legal liability for all such clean-up and remediation costs was approximately $1.1 million in the aggregate for all current and prior year claims.