What are DOT Truck Driver Physical Exams?
Truck drivers have a demanding job and it’s crucial that they’re able to do it properly. That means they need extensive training, but on top of that they have to be in good health. That’s why the Department of Transportation requires all commercially licensed drivers to get regular health checkups from certified physicians. So what...
What Are the Truck Driver Hours of Service Rules?
Recognizing the danger of letting truck drivers go on extended "long haul" drives until they are dangerously exhausted, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposed limits on the amount of time a truck driver may legally operate their vehicle before they're required to rest. So what exactly are those "hours of service" rules? Answer:...
How Do Truck Accident Victims’ Lawyers use DOT Driver Physicals in Lawsuits?
Truck driver medical episodes should be incredibly uncommon because they’re required as part of their job to pass a physical every 1-2 years to stay on the road. Despite this requirement, a truck driver causing a crash because of a medical episode is not nearly as rare as it should be. When these accidents result...
Why Do Truckers Falsify Their Records of Duty Status (Hours of Service Logs)?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established the Hours of Service (HOS) Rule with the intention to limit—even completely prevent—crashes due to driver fatigue. Additionally, the HOS Rule aims to protect drivers from harassment and forced, unsafe driving by their employers. So why would some truckers intentionally violate the HOS rule and edit their...
Do Electronic Logging Devices Actually Prevent Drivers From Driving Fatigued?
Plans don't always work out in real life the way we plan them. The same is true for regulations, and a very good example of that can be seen in the way the federal government tries to stop truck driver fatigue by making truckers keep an electronic log of the hours they're behind the wheel....
Does Every Commercial Truck Driver Have to Log their Hours-of-Service?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to maintain logs, called Record of Duty Status (RODS), to show when the driver is on the clock, driving, not driving, sleeping in a truck's sleeper berth, and when the driver is off the clock. The goal is to prevent tired truck...
What Are Hours of Service Logs for Truck Drivers?
If a commercial truck driver falls asleep at the wheel, it could have devastating effects. Because of this, the agency that regulates the trucking industry, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), established limits on how long a driver can be behind the wheel of their truck before the driver has to take a rest...
Who Creates Commercial Truck Regulations?
It goes without saying that large commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) can cause a lot more harm than the standard vehicles we drive every day, and naturally, there are additional regulations for these commercial trucks. But who makes these regulations and enforces them? The Short Answer: The government. The Long Answer: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety...
How Do I Dispute a Police Report Error?
People often call our law firm upset that the police report for their crash is wrong and incorrectly blames them for their own loss. We take these calls very seriously as we understand crash reports truly might have errors. To be perfectly clear, most people place too much stock in police reports. While no one...
What Evidence Do Police Reports Miss in a Commercial Truck Accident Case?
Many people inaccurately believe that all they need is a police report in their favor to win a commercial truck lawsuit. However, a police report is not a definitive determination of fault, as that is not their purpose. In actuality, a police report is designed to aid in criminal prosecution, and they are essential in...
What Should I Do after an Accident with an 18-Wheeler?
There are a lot of negligent truck drivers on the roads in Texas, which makes serious accidents an unfortunate reality. The scene that follows those crashes is often chaotic, victims may be disoriented or seriously injured, and they might not be sure what to do first—or at all. What steps should someone take after an...
Truck Accidents
How Can I Calculate the Value of My 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Settlement?
Clients often ask, "How can I calculate the value of my truck accident settlement?" In this article, we'll look at the factors that most impact the value of an 18-wheeler accident settlement. Large commercial truck accidents can be devastating. Just the trauma of going through such a life-changing event can be trying to everyone involved....
What Are the Most Common Fact Patterns in 18-wheeler Accidents?
Common Fact Patterns in 18-Wheeler Accidents Each truck accident case we've represented is different; it has its own story, has facts specific to the incident, and each victim has endured their own personal suffering. Nonetheless, after 25 years of litigating truck accident cases, we've noticed that most fall into certain categories. Below, we're going to...
What Damages and Compensation Are Available Following a Fatal Truck Accident?
Damages and Compensation Available Following a Fatal Truck Accident We're sorry for the loss of your loved one. All too often, we get calls from clients that have lost spouses, parents, or children through the negligence of a truck driver or their employer. When your family member's death involved a commercial vehicle, it creates a...
What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Texas?
We all share the road with 18-wheelers, and whether we're talking about the cashier at the gas station or some guy we meet at a party, once anyone finds out about our lawyers' experience litigating truck accident cases, virtually everyone asks the same question: what are most common causes of truck accidents that we encounter...
What Laws Apply to Texas 18-Wheeler Injury Cases?
Knowing which laws apply to a truck accident case can be tricky, because it really means that you have to know about several different areas of the law. Fortunately, that's our specialty. In this article, we'll explain a little bit about which laws are the most pertinent to winning a truck accident case. Mind you,...
How Do Rear-end 18-Wheeler Accident Cases Work?
Did an 18-wheeler hit your car? This article will help you understand how rear-end by a semi-truck cases work and your options for recovering damages. While it may seem like getting rear-ended by a semi-truck would make for an open and shut case, that's not actually accurate. You see, the notion that truck drivers are...
What role do mechanical problems play in truck accidents?
Anytime an 18-wheeler accident is caused by a mechanical failure, trucking companies are quick to emphasize the random nature of accidents, in general, and mechanical failure, specifically. To hear them tell it, perfectly maintained trucks are rolling merrily down the highway when lightning strikes, storm clouds roll in, the heavens open up, and localized Armageddon...
How Do Sideswipe Collision Cases Involving Semi Trucks (18-Wheelers) Work?
Sideswiped by a 18-wheeler in Texas? This article will help you understand how the trucking company may be held liable for damages. Semi-trucks can often weigh as much as 80,000 pounds and usually take up an entire lane on roads and highways. As a result, if a truck driver is not giving his or her...