Because motorists in West Virginia and other states often share the road with trucks, the federal government publishes specific guidelines for safe truck operation. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, truckers must maintain certain parts and accessories to operate safely, and the rules include explicit details on judging the suitability of different types of equipment.
Truck operators governed by specific safety regulations
Dangers of cargo tank rollovers
All too often in West Virginia, people are injured when a cargo tank rolls over on the highway. Many such accidents are preventable, but they still occur. According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration statistics, more than 1,300 such rollover accidents occur every year across the country.
Truck tire blowouts can be deadly
While tire technology has improved in numerous ways in recent decades, tire blowouts can still occur. In fact, it can be argued that their rarity only increases the hazards that a blown tire represents.
Prototype could make driving near large trucks safer
Imagine yourself driving down a highway. Immediately ahead of you is a large commercial truck. This truck is going more slowly than you would like to be going, but you are unsure of whether or not you should try to pass it because you cannot see properly around it. What do you do? Do you take a risk or do you drive slowly behind the truck until you can make absolutely sure that it is safe to pass the massive vehicle?
Why the Tracy Morgan truck accident settlement matters
Nearly one year ago, the acclaimed comedian Tracy Morgan and several others were traveling in a limousine van when a tractor-trailer owned by retail giant Walmart slammed into the back of it. The accident killed a fellow comedian and seriously injured Mr. Morgan. After months of negotiations, a settlement has been reached in the case filed by Mr. Morgan’s attorneys in the wake of the crash.
Why minimum trucking insurance should matter to you
Most of the time, you likely have little reason to be concerned with the insurance needs of individuals outside your own family. However, there are instances in which the insurance minimums and rates paid by others may directly impact you. For example, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, the kind of insurance that other drivers involved in the crash have access to may impact the amount of compensation that you receive as a result of the accident.
Why the trucking industry may soon become safer
Earlier this month, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that the agency will be seeking swift action on the matter of electronic speed limiters for the nation's large commercial trucks. This is an important safety development, given how destructive big rigs can be when they are traveling above a reasonable speed.
Farmer Cline & Campbell Wins Prestigious Litigator Award
Earlier this year, Farmer Cline & Campbell was awarded the esteemed 2014 Litigator Award. This honor is granted only to the top one percent of trial attorneys and firms nationally.
Understanding the FMCSA's new safety-fitness regulation
Nearly 10 years ago, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration began the regulatory process tied to implementation of a specific part of the agency’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability program. Regulatory actions are often notoriously delayed, so it comes as little surprise that the Safety Fitness Determination element of the CSA has yet to be implemented. However, it seems that this important part of the CSA may soon be affecting commercial drivers nationwide.
Commercial vehicle accident rates continue to rise - Part II
In our last post, we began a discussion of the frustrating fact that it is not always possible to make steady progress towards the goal of ensuring that the American public remains safe while on the road. We mentioned that one factor complicating motor vehicle safety trends is the unfortunate rollback of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s revised hours of service requirement. This requirement was designed to reduce truck driver fatigue and to reduce the prevalence of fatigue-related truck accidents.
