Category: Truck Accidents

Why did the FMCSA change the windshield regulations for trucks?

While most people are well aware that interstate trucks are subject to extensive federal regulations covering everything from their brakes to their tires, what they might not realize is that these regulations aren't just confined to the exterior of the truck, but rather extend to the interior as well. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's regulations on windshields dictate that no devices can be mounted more than six inches below the upper edge and, even then, they must be mounted outside the truck driver's line of sight. While this may seem somewhat arbitrary, the regulation exists to ensure that truckers have a clear line of sight to the road, signage and traffic signals. Interestingly enough, the FMCSA announced last week that it was officially changing this longstanding regulation on windshield-mountable devices. What does the new regulation state? Starting October 23, certain types of "vehicle safety technology" can be mounted on…

Mixed support for speed limiters among key players in the trucking industry

In our last post, we discussed how both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have introduced a new proposal calling for all trucks rolling off the assembly line -- and a potentially large number of trucks already on the highways -- to be outfitted with electronic speed limiters. Specifically, the proposal, which has been published in the Federal Register, calls for these electronic speed limiters to physically prevent trucks from going faster than one of three speeds: 60, 65 or 68 miles-per-hour. Not surprisingly, most safety advocacy groups have already come out in support of the measure, owing in large part to some of the accident prevention figures offered by the NHTSA and the FMCSA. Indeed, the proposal indicates that in addition to preventing thousands of truck accident injuries, a 60 mile-per-hour max speed could prevent 162 to 498 fatalities per year, a 65…

Committed to the pursuit of justice for truck accident victims

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration made headlines last week when they announced a proposal that, if enacted, would require all new semi trucks to be equipped with electronic devices that limit their maximum speed to anywhere from 60 to 68 miles-per-hour. While it's possible that many greeted this news with little more than a shrug, it's important to consider that the two agencies predicted this new proposal could save the lives of anywhere from 96 to 498 motorists per year and prevent many of the 1,115 heavy truck crashes that occur here in the U.S. on an annual basis. Indeed, all of this really serves to underscore the unfortunate -- and perhaps grim -- reality that despite all of the progress that has been made in making both roads and vehicles safer, motorists are still very much at risk of being involved in…

How is the mining industry connected to the next big breakthrough in auto safety?

Thanks to the tireless efforts of scientists, engineers and software developers, many of the vehicles on the roads and highways are now equipped with safety technology that would have been unheard of a decade ago. Indeed, there's now technology to stop rear-end collisions, prevent lane departures and even assume complete control of the driving experience. As fascinating and encouraging as this has been, there are a few areas in which real safety solutions are still lacking, including drowsy driving. Interestingly enough, however, we may be on the precipice of seeing this dangerous driving condition rectified by safety technology currently being deployed in a somewhat unlikely industry. What exactly is this industry and what technology are they using?   Caterpillar Safety Services, a subsidiary of the Illinois-based construction giant, has outfitted 5,000 vehicles around the world involved in mining operations with facial recognition software and equipment designed by the tech company Seeing Machines.…

What makes commercial trucks so dangerous?

Commercial vehicles pose a very serious threat to passenger cars traveling alongside them. Not only are they larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, they can travel just as fast as everyone else. Certainly these factors make commercial vehicles a danger, but there are several other factors that should be considered when making the decision to drive alongside them. By definition, a commercial vehicle is any vehicle used for carrying people or goods for a fee. Yes, this may include tractor trailer semi-trucks, but it also includes dump trucks, tanker trucks and delivery vehicles. Each one of these vehicles is dangerous in their own way. However, the level of risk these trucks pose to other drivers may be specific to their body type and contents. The run of the mill semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer, is one of the most commonly seen commercial vehicles on the highway. These trucks are mainly dangerous…

Watch for violations in hours of service

The rules and regulations that commercial carriers and their truck drivers must follow are handed down by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This branch of federal government dictates certain aspects of commercial carrier operations so that they are safer for truck drivers and other passenger vehicles. Included in their rules and regulations is a rule for hours of service. If the driver operates a commercial motor vehicle, including semi-trucks, they must comply with the FMCSA's hours of service rule. The FMCSA's rules regarding hours of service regulations are different for drivers carrying property than they are for drivers carrying passengers. These rules dictate how many hours a driver may operate a vehicle and how often and for how long they must take rest breaks. For example, a driver of a vehicle carrying property may drive for 11 hours so long as it follows 10 consecutive hours of the driver being off…

Who Can I Sue in a Truck Accident?

There are an overwhelming number of factors involved in a truck accident. In most cases, investigators will need to look at what each driver involved was doing leading up to the crash. This can determine any level of distraction, recklessness, negligence, or intoxication. These factors are common for almost all multivehicle accidents. However, when a truck is involved, investigators will now need to look at driver logs, whether the truck was properly maintained and whether it met all safety regulations set forth to maintain nonhazardous roadways for those commuting alongside these behemoths. If you were hurt or if you have lost a loved one due to an accident involving an 18-wheeler or another large commercial vehicle, you are likely struggling to function on an emotional level. Grief can be absolutely debilitating. Add to that the concerns of exploring all avenues of causation and pursuing compensation for that guilt, and you may…

Representing Your Interests After A Truck Accident In Georgia

At Dozier Law Firm, LLC, with offices throughout Georgia, we have years of experience representing injured victims of truck accidents. This experience has allowed us to build a reputation as a leading personal injury law firm in Georgia, which brings countless clients to our firm every year. If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, you, too, may benefit from the assistance of our experienced attorneys. Truck accidents can result from a number of different causes. Common causes are driver fatigue, reckless driving, speeding, lack of maintenance, and inadequate safety equipment. Regardless of the cause, we are prepared to help you pursue personal injury compensation, but first, we have to determine which party acted negligently. In an accident involving a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle, the fault can lie with either the driver or the company for which the driver works. When the cause of an accident is reckless driving…

Driver fatigue blamed for many of Georgia’s truck accidents

Anyone who has driven through Georgia has doubtlessly passed hundreds of tractor-trailers on the state's interstate highways. The large number of trucks on the roads makes the chance of truck accidents increase even when conditions are perfect and drivers are alert. When driver fatigue becomes a factor, the chance of a truck accident increases exponentially. Drivers of semi trucks and other large commercial vehicles have the lives of the people with whom they share the roads in their hands. The size and weight of these trucks make them more hazardous to others than commuter vehicles, such as cars and pickup trucks, should they be involved in accidents. This knowledge alone should make drivers take special care; however, this is not always the case. Some drivers, pushed to the limit by deadlines and management, overextend themselves. Some even drive many more hours in a row than the federal guidelines allow, which…

Professional Help After A Georgia Truck Accident

Anyone who has driven down Interstate 75 knows how many tractor-trailers are on the roads in Georgia. Unfortunately, a large number of semi-trucks on the roads often means an equally large number of truck accidents. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a truck accident in the Macon area, you can turn to Dozier Law Firm, LLC, for help pursuing personal injury compensation. Pursuing compensation after a truck accident is different from pursuing compensation after a car accident. The main difference lies in the insurance company handling the claim. As most trucks belong to large trucking companies, their insurance companies are large and have access to teams of attorneys whose only jobs are to limit the amounts paid to claimants. In addition to having teams of lawyers, large insurance companies also have networks of resources they use to try to diminish liability. At our law firm, we have…

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