Among the lawsuits is a civil RICO action over allegations that the insurer and 10 other carriers have operated as a 'cartel.'

Heading into September, nearly 100 federal lawsuits were filed against property and casualty insurers, according to Law.com Radar.

The original suit was filed within the statute of limitations for claims against living people, but outside of the limit for claims against deceased people.

Progressive admitted liability but contested the damages arguing that two years after the crash, the plaintiff was well enough to compete in horseback riding competitions and the injuries were not severe.

The suit was part of a growing trend to implicate large motor carriers when small motor carriers have limited commercial auto and primary coverage.

"The No. 1 cause of nuclear verdicts is plaintiffs lawyers," said Robert Tyson, who has sought to rally the defense bar against rising verdicts and settlements.

Six states account for nearly 65% of the nuclear verdicts across the U.S.

The settlement was the maximum amount the restaurant's insurance companies could tender, court documents show.