Do Sophisticated Cockpit Devices Like GPS Actually Inhibit the Truck Drivers Attention?

Posted on January 17, 2012 by staff

Trucking accident attorneys must be people qualified not only in personal injury litigation but also in vehicular manslaughter and murder cases. Sometimes, most accidents have been blamed on human error, and, therefore, it is important to note that most individuals will always sue the trucking company in case of an accident. Today, trucks have been fitted with so many gadgets that are allegedly used to embrace technology.

However, according to many trucking accident attorneys, some of the gadgets fixed on the cockpit of the trucks are major factors that court disaster and potential for accident causation in trucking industry. To win a case involving truck accidents, an individual requires realizing that it is a battle of wits. The best way to handle the situation is to hire a good truck accident attorney who has great experience and expertise in such cases.

It is true to argue that many of the gadgets fixed on trucks in the cockpit are some of the distractions that lead to accidents which pose great fatalities to other road users when drivers in the trucks fail to observe certain road regulations and accident prevention measures. As a matter of fact, it is important to point out that due to the big size of trucks and the fact that the trucks are heavy usually pose a great and life threatening danger to occupants of smaller vehicles when they collide with trucks while truck operators and drivers usually escape unhurt. One thing that really disturbs individuals is how the gadgets in the cockpit could affect the driver and hence be seen as an indirect cause of accident and death.

However, it is simply because drivers will be required to look and at times operate some of the gadgets on the cockpit. This distracts the driver from concentrating on the road, which is what the driver is supposed to do at all time. In fact, even some personal technological gadgets like the mobile phone could be life threatening to a driver, not only in trucks but anyone operating a vehicle.

A good trucking accident attorney should, therefore, be in a position to argue that even though accidents are not premeditated, the sophisticated cockpit devices such as the GPS have high potential in the reduction of driver concentration and hence precursors to truck accidents. However, these are not the only factors that could lead to accidents. Some of the other main accident causative agents include the tight schedule that truck drivers have to meet. The schedules lead to fatigue, stress and long working hours. When this happens, the body is no longer able to concentrate fully on the tasks at hand. Sometimes the drivers are sleepy, and will even doze off, which is likely to lead to collisions with other vehicles.

Do sophisticated cockpit devises such as GPS distract the attention of the truck driver and may be a contributing factor to an accident? This question will be asked by any trucking accident attorney who is keen to seek compensation for victims of truck accidents. The correct answer is that they do contribute to attention loss and accidents. However, there are a host of other factors including negligence from the trucking company and failure of inspecting their vehicles.

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Tips for Choosing the Best Trucking Accident Lawyer

Posted on January 10, 2012 by staff

Each year, big rig crashes result in 5,000 fatalities and 130,000 injuries, even though they only account for 3% of all traffic accidents. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne Ferro reported 4,000 truck related deaths in 2010, from 3,380 in 2009,  an increase of more than 18%.

In addition to the fatalities, she also cited 74,000 truck related injuries for 2009 when she testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee concerning truck driver hours of service (HOS). At present, the 11-hour rule is in effect, meaning that truck drivers can legally be on the road for 84 hours a week, and some have argued for the return to the 10-hour rule. Driver fatigue has been a major factor in numerous truck accidents, and as the number of registered trucks has increased by two million over the past decade, the possibilities of being involved in a truck accident have significantly increased. If you or someone you know has been involved in a large truck accident, seeking the assistance of competent truck lawyers is imperative, since this type of accident can be vastly more complicated than the average car accident and can also involve multiple parties as will be discussed below.

The reason truck drivers are always in such a hurry is simply due to the fact that they tend to face tight deadlines for making deliveries. If you are facing a deadline in an office, you have to work faster, and by the same token, truck drivers facing deadlines just have to drive faster, increasing the odds of accidents occurring. Big rigs or semi trailers tend to carry huge amounts of cargo, sometimes even dangerous cargo, and when under extreme stress and fatigue, some truck drivers can become careless or even fall asleep at the wheel. Statistics have revealed that big trucks have been involved in 1 out of 9 traffic accidents and that in 94% of these cases, injuries or fatalities occurred, due to the sheer size and weight of the big rigs. Spilled and dangerous cargo can result in toxic substances exposure, whereas mechanical failures can lead to a large truck becoming thoroughly unmanageable and uncontrollable. Whatever may be the case, highly experienced truck lawyers can assist you in determining if there are grounds for seeking just compensation. Savvy truck lawyers can furthermore help in navigating complex issues, as exemplified by this possible scenario:

The victim is from California, the truck driver hails from Illinois, the large truck is owned by an Ohio company, but the trailer is owned by a Florida company, and the truck driver was delivering cargo to California that was loaded in New York. Immediately after the accident, the victim will in all likelihood not be in a mental state to discern all of these possibilities, and only expert truck lawyers will be able to sort through the details.

Dos for choosing the best trucking accident lawyer :

*  Seek personal recommendations and/or professional referrals, such as state bar records, history of verdicts and settlements.
*  Interview several trucking lawyers to determine who you feel most comfortable with and who seems to have the highest level of competency.
*  Search online for potential leads.
*  Focus on law specialty, in this case truck accidents.
*  Negotiate for the lowest fee possible : most viable cases are taken on a contingency basis, but if your case happens to be exceptionally strong, some truck attorneys may settle for a lower percentage.

Don’ts for choosing the best truck accident lawyer :

*  TV ads are usually not good sources, ambulance chasers may not convey a good impression to the judge.
*  Phone book ads are too numerous and the odds of picking the correct truck attorney are too slim, even though practically all lawyers advertise in this medium.

In any case, free initial consultations are the norm and contingency simply means you do not have initial out of pocket costs, therefore there is no reason why truck lawyers should not be immediately contacted in the event of a truck accident.

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Involved in an Accident with a Truck? Contact a Michigan Trucking Attorney

Posted on January 10, 2012 by staff

Recent statistics reveal that every day 90 people are injured or killed in large truck related accidents with 450,000 large trucks involved in such accidents every year. The saddest statistic revolves around the fact that one third of injured victims suffer catastrophic damages, physical, financial, emotional or psychological.

More often than not, due to the construction of the large truck providing protection to the truck driver, often the truck driver can walk away practically unscathed while the victims suffer traumatic conditions that can include brain or spinal cord injuries, paralysis, amputation, disfigurement, severe burns or concussions, back and neck injuries, and extreme cases can lead to wrongful death.

If the accident occurred in Michigan, local Michigan Trucking Attorneys are immediately needed to assess the situation, as these truck accidents can become extremely complex and complicated legal issues can easily arise.

Although causes for truck accidents can be numerous, they can be generally summarized into three distinct categories and only tenacious Michigan trucking attorneys can dig deep into the true causes:

*  Driver negligence: Under intense pressure to meet required delivery schedules, which sometimes can be absolutely unreasonable, truck drivers may undertake unnecessary risks, such as speeding or violating the FMCSA’s 11-hour rule, which dictates that truck drivers have to rest after 11 hours on the road. Just like other drivers, they could also have been driving while texting or talking on the cell phone, and tailgating is another often cited violation.

*  Bad weather: weather conditions can change at any given moment and unprepared truck drivers, in particular long haul truck drivers could unexpectedly be facing heavy rain or snow, with strong winds being a common occurrence in certain parts of the country.

Equipment failure and overloading: poor tire pressure, broken lights, lack of blind spot mirrors, or brake failure are major contributors to truck accidents.

However, truck accidents can also occur due to the actions of the other involved vehicle. Ignorance of a truck’s performance capabilities oftentimes is reported as there are definite limits to a truck’s acceleration, braking and visibility. Some tips to avoid truck accidents are as follows :

*  Driving in blind zones, the areas behind and beside the truck where the truck driver may only have limited or no visibility.
*  Pulling in front of a truck without sufficient acceleration.
*  Misjudging the speed of an incoming truck when making a left turn.
*  Maneuvering to the right of the truck while the truck may be attempting a right hand turn.
*  Driving between two large trucks is definitely not recommended.

Whatever may be the case, having Michigan Trucking Attorneys relentlessly and aggressively defend your rights may be the only suitable course of action. Investigating the scene of a truck accident can be a very extensive undertaking which requires detailed analysis that only experienced Michigan Trucking Attorneys can perform.

When conducting interviews with possible Michigan Trucking Attorneys, it is advisable to clarify the knowledge of the Attorney in areas of compensation that include but are not necessarily limited to :

*  Medical and other expenses, including long term care, as needed.
*  Lost income or lost earning capacity resulting from disability or disfigurement.
*  Pain and suffering, physical or psychological.
*  Wrongful death if such is the case.

Some Michigan Trucking Attorneys may furthermore offer financial assistance regarding court and litigation costs, and support regarding living or medical expenses could be considered, therefore there are definite advantages to be duly represented in a court of law if you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident.

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Why Choose a Trucking Accident Attorney?

Posted on December 21, 2011 by staff

Accident statistics show that every 16 minutes one  person dies or is injured in accidents that involve trucks these being tractor trailers, 18 wheelers and semi trucks. In contrast with other passenger vehicles, trucks have a higher likelihood of being involved in multi vehicle crashes majority of which are fatal.  Though trucks may be slower than other vehicles, their energy is significantly higher thus the high fatalities. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in accidents involving a truck and other passenger vehicles, 98% of the fatalities will occur to the people in passenger vehicles.

Given these grim statistics, for people who are involved in accidents with trucks, it is crucially important to choose a law firm that has handled numerous trucking injury cases. Lawsuits arising from collisions or accidents that involve trucks, tractor trailers, semis and rigs normally encompass complex sets of laws and require massive evidence, thus the importance of hiring a specialized trucking accident attorney.  The trucking industry is also highly regulated meaning that cases involving trucks are more complicated than normal automobile accidents.  It is therefore important to acquire services of a trucking accident attorney since law firms specializing in trucking accidents usually have the experience needed to represent plaintiffs in truck accident cases.

Another reason for choosing a trucking accident attorney is that these cases usually require a specialist in Federal Motor carrier Safety Rules and Regulations. As well, the lawyers have to know fleet maintenance procedures for successful investigation and litigation of claims. These specialties are usually only are reserve of firms specializing in trucking accidents.

In trucking accidents, the company and the person responsible for the causing the accident can be sued. This can be a wide ranging array of parties which could be the truck drive, the truck company, the person who owns on the trailer and in some cases even the shipper of the cargo being ferried by the truck. In some cases it would even involve manufacturers of a tire that led to the accident or even the owner of property, whether public or private that may have contributed to causing the accident through negligence.  Only by consulting an experienced truck accident attorney would one be able to determine the role parties involved played to cause the accident.

Also major trucking companies usually have excellent and seasoned attorneys already working for them, lawyers who are experts in trucking regulations and laws as well as handling trucking cases. As such only a trucking accident attorney would ensure that the accident scene is secure, photographs and statements are taken as well as crucial pieces of evidence that might be of help to you are not lost or destroyed on purpose by the more savvy trucking company lawyers.

In terms of compensation, it is quite complex given the many parties usually involved in the trucking industry that is the trucking, the leasing, the hauling companies. Disputes normally arise on whose insurance will cover compensation for the victim. And the companies are aware that confronting the victim just after the accident happens is the best time to pressure them into making decisions on settlements, since the victims are traumatized and might not make the best of decisions.  Victims therefore need to work with trucking accident attorneys immediately to ensure that their interests and rights have been catered for and protected.

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Michigan Truck Attorneys Are Experts

Posted on December 9, 2011 by staff

An attorney is a person who is licensed to provide legal advice to clients in various legal situations as well as representing them in a court of law. Basically, according to Michigan law, a personal injury is defined as physical, mental or physiological damage caused by a secondary party and is governed by tort laws. Tort may be defined as an injury or wrongful actions committed against the property of a person or person itself.

There are many areas of practice but most attorneys specialize and become experts in their chosen field(s). People should not hire a real estate attorney to handle a criminal case. A typical personal injury attorney generally handles lawsuits regarding personal injuries, claim of insurance due to the injury, class actions and those resulting from a vehicle accident. Taking it a step further many attorneys specialize their practice even more. Michigan truck attorneys are a prime example of a “sub-specialty”.

Injuries resulting from a truck accident fall under the category of vehicle accidents. A Michigan truck attorney has the experience and expertise to help a victim with their legal advice and represent them in court. A truck accident may occur due to various reasons such as negligence of the manufacturer (Producing a truck with faulty parts), suppliers, retailers, bad weather, exhaustion, text messaging etc. So the very first step would be to identify the type of case and then proceed. Simply due to a trucks massive weight an accident can become extremely complicated and requires expertise and experience to assure that your rights are protected.

There are thousands of trucks on Michigan highways nowadays which are leading to a rise in accidents as well. If the person driving the truck drives carelessly it might lead to an accident which can cause tangible damages to property and human injury or life. Depending on the parties of the  case and the seriousness of the injuries a truck attorney can file a lawsuit in court seeking claims for the injuries suffered by the victim. It is very important to seek help from one of these attorneys specializing in the field of trucking accidents because they have the experience to manage all aspects of the case.

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Truck Accident Attorneys – Why Hire Them?

Posted on December 6, 2011 by staff

When your business takes you on the road most of the time, it is best to safeguard yourself and your business  from any legal problem concerning road accidents. The best person to give you  the security and peace of mind is of course a truck accident attorney. Truck accident attorneys in particular are  the best place to run when you are caught in an accident dispute.

Lawyers are trained to give legal advice for people having to deal with some type of legal matter. They represent their clients in court procedures and prepare legal documents for them. Some lawyers have a specialty practice such as criminal law, corporate law, real estate law. When you are involed in a trucking accident you will want an attorney that is extremely experienced in trucking accident law. If your business runs trucks you definitively need the protection and services of truck accident attorneys.

Your truck accident attorney is the best person to ask for legal advice when you are in any accident disputes. He or she can help you in the claim process or to negotiate on your behalf for any possible repayments in cases you are at fault. He can produce legal documents needed in your claims and represent you in court if the need arises. But most of the time, your truck accident attorney will do all possible legal means to have settlements out of court on your behalf or in your favor. You can depend on him to produce pertinent documents supporting your claims and assures you of quick and stress-free litigation or settlement.

In the process of disputes or claims, truck accident attorneys do intensive research to provide evidence to prove your innocence or that the accident was not intentional. It is your truck accident attorney’s duty to brief the court in written documents and if oral argument is required will provide you with all the details to make sure you fully understand what is happening. He will make sure you fully comprehend your liability in case you are at fault or your possible claims in case you are the victim or aggrieved party. He can help you get compensated for claims for damages or  injuries. He can also assist you in securing licenses and clearances after accident disputes.

Your truck attorneys are not just skilled professionals, they are well trained to provide legal assistance to you. They are members of the bar associations and underwent rigid law training in reputable law schools. They’re licensed and state regulated to assure you that they are competent to provide the assistance you need.

You can also depend on your truck accident attorney to handle any dispute on your insurance claims and help you make the right decision if a settlement is offered. Hiring an accident attorney is the best decision you can make.

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Retaining a Truck Attorney Makes Perfect Sense

Posted on November 21, 2011 by staff

Due to this sluggish and unpredictable economy, it is always a good idea to prepare for the unexpected. Today, truck accidents happen quite often and when they happen, they can be devastating. This is why it is a good idea when it comes to trucking accident lawyers. Try picturing a truck crashing into a smaller vehicle filled with people. The consequence is too frightening to picture. Trying to figure out who is at fault when such an accident occurs is quite difficult. You may say that it is the driver of the smaller car who is at fault because he did not want the truck to be in front of him on the highway because the truck driver is too slow or you may say that the truck driver is a poor driver. No matter the case, the fact remains that a truck attorney is needed. Some people may feel that it is not really important to hire a truck attorney since they feel that they are good drivers and can never fall prey to an accident with a truck. As I said, you need to be prepared at all times as we never know what the future holds. What we know is that a truck attorney will be needed when such an accident occurs.

Let us look at some reasons why you need a truck attorney. For instance, you may be on the road and a truck driver crashes into your car for reasons pertaining to his breaks or other reasons that you may not be aware of. As a result of this accident, you get seriously hurt in all parts of your body which can lead you to either lose your arm, eyesight, leg, ability to hear and so on. These loses can lead you to losing your job too. Of course we know what comes to your head. You will want to sue the driver of the truck. This is where the services of a truck attorney come in. A good truck attorney will ensure that you get exactly what you rightfully deserve and even more. This will be done by the lawyer by first listening to your side of the story so that he can analyze whether you are truly the victim. After analyzing this, the truck attorney will assist you in filing for compensation and ensuring you get compensated.

Furthermore, another instance we can look at is where the truck driver is suing you but you know the accident was not your fault. In such an instance, it boils down to your word against his. In such a case, it is best to get a trucking attorney otherwise the trucking company that the driver works for will make your case look like a foolish one in order to save their company’s reputation. Cases like this can be very difficult involving witnesses and long hours of court hearings. However, if you are innocent and truthful to your truck attorney, he or she will ensure that you emerge victorious in the long run.

Sometimes, the trucking company the driver works for may agree to settle the case outside the court especially if their driver was at fault. The only way to ensure that you get the right compensation is by hiring a truck attorney.

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Trucking Attorney is Ready to Assist

Posted on November 18, 2011 by staff

In the event you are involved in an accident with a truck, chances are the odds will be against you. Especially if you are a pedestrian, on a bicycle or driving a car, you can get permanently injured or even killed. If it’s the driver of the truck whose negligence caused the accident, proving it for getting compensated is not an easy task.

To improve your chances of success in defending yourself and getting compensated, it is crucial to hire a trucking attorney who helps even the odds that are stacked against you. If it happens that you are not critically injured, one thing you have to do at the accident spot is to call the home office and report the accident. This is necessary to enable the home office to send accident reconstruction specialists to the scene to start investigating.

It’s true that the  truck owners and drivers will try to avoid  anything that incriminates them but when you take an early action, the investigators will arrive at the  scene on time to take photos of the vehicles that have been damaged, take measurements of the scuff, yaw  marks, skid and debris. After they have arrived, you can be sure the rest will be taken care of.

In the event that you are fighting for your life in a hospital, it’s crucial that your relatives engage the services of a trucking lawyer immediately. This is necessary since the lawyer will have to act quickly to gather some evidence which will be used to prove the case. The evidence can vanish if there are rains or heavy storms hence the need to ensure that a specialist investigator arrives in the scene on time. The images of the skids, scuffs and the damages to your car can be used as evidence in the proceedings.

They can engage the services of expert witnesses critically assess the evidence that has been presented and determine what is needed to win the case. If you delay the case against a trucking company, you will be dealing a huge blow to your claims in many ways. You must keep to the specific period which is provided by legal statutes of every state. Your lawyer understands this better and is able to guide you through. Failure on the side of the complainant to sue on time may bar you from making any monetary gain. You could be wondering what deadlines you are supposed to stick to.

There are many of them and you may not know that some of them exist. This is the essence of having a qualified lawyer on board. The attorney also understands state regulations that pertain to loading, operation and maintenance of  trucks and  so can  review everything, including the  safety regulations to ascertain if the  lighting  devices, braking  systems  and emergency equipment  among others were responsible for causing the  accident. To get some required evidence the truck lawyer understands what questions to ask the trucking company and the driver with the aim of extracting proof of negligence.

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Michigan Truck Attorney Will Guide You Through The Process

Posted on November 17, 2011 by staff

If you have been involved in a truck accident such as an 18-wheeler accident, we understand that the initial moments and days following the accident can be upsetting, confusing, and painful. No matter what the other party involved in the accident is saying right now, and regardless of the situation, you need to remember to protect your rights during this time by contacting Michigan truck accident attorneys.

You may not think that you have sustained any injury in the accident, but did you know that many accident related injuries, such as whiplash, may take days or even weeks to fully present themselves? Our Michigan truck accident attorneys will help you to find medical care if you have not already done so, and in fact will be here to you to guide you through the entire process of managing your truck accident.

In the majority of cases there will be some type of injury sustained in a truck accident. If you consider the sheer size of the “big rigs” and how much such vehicles weigh, a major impact is inevitable. Even when an accident occurs at low speeds, the force of an 18-wheeler plowing into your own vehicle will inevitably cause some sort of vehicle damage, and will frequently cause what is known as “soft tissue injuries.” Soft tissue injuries are damages to the soft tissues of the body, such as the muscles and the discs in the back. Many people are not aware of the fact that soft tissue injuries, which include whiplash, can be just as painful as broken bones. In fact, soft tissue injuries can last for much longer than a broken bone can if they are left untreated — sometimes whiplash can even become permanent if you never get treatment for it, for example. These reasons make it imperative that you don’t ignore any medical symptoms, no matter how small, in the days right after an accident. Small symptoms could be the start of big trouble when it comes to accident related injuries.

Our Michigan truck accident attorneys are highly trained in dealing with the insurance companies and are prepared to fight for your personal rights. You have the right to get medical care for any injuries that you may have sustained in the truck accident, and you deserve to get back to the exact same state of good health that you had before you were in the truck accident.

Navigating the process of a truck accident can be difficult, but our Michigan truck accident attorneys are intimately familiar with every step of the process, from your first contact to our offices to negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf. If your vehicle has been damaged or totaled in the accident and you are having trouble dealing with the property damage claim with your insurance company or the other party’s insurance company, we will also work with them to make sure that you can get back out on the road as soon as possible.

Contact our Michigan truck accident attorneys today — when you are involved in a truck accident it is always better to have the ultimate protection our attorneys can give you!

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Truck Attorney – Why Do I Need One?

Posted on November 17, 2011 by staff

Preparing for the unexpected is always important especially during this sluggish economy. Today, truck accidents happen more than ever and when they do, it can be devastating. Just imagine a truck crashing into a smaller vehicle loaded with people, the outcome is too horrific to visualize. Often, the drivers from these smaller cars are the one’s at fault because on the highway no car driver wants a truck to be in front of them because they are too slow, however it can also happen that it was the truck drivers fault but whether it is the fault of the truck driver or the car driver, a truck attorney is needed. Some people do not see the importance of hiring the services of a truck attorney because they feel they are good drivers and can never fall into the trap of an accident with a truck but we never know when these things happen until they are over so, a truck attorney is definitely needed.

Some reasons why you need a truck attorney; for instance you were on the road and a truck driver crashes into your car due to his brakes or reasons you might not be aware of. You get hurt seriously in all parts of your body which can lead you to either lose your arm, leg, eyesight, hearing ability, etc; or you lose your job. Suing the driver or company is exactly what you will want to do and what best way to get what you rightfully deserve by hiring the services of a truck attorney. A good truck attorney will make sure you get what you rightfully deserve and even more by first listening to your side of the story and analyzing if you are truly the victim here then later assisting you in filing for compensation and making sure you get compensated.

Also another instance can be, a truck driver is suing you but you know the accident wasn’t your fault. In this type of case, it boils down to your word against his. With such cases, it is very important to get a tuck attorney or else the trucking company the driver works for can make your case a foolish one in order to save their company’s reputation. Also, such cases can be very difficult involving witnesses and long hours of court hearings but if you are innocent and you are truthful to your truck attorney, he or she will make sure you see victory in the long run.

Sometimes, some truck attorney’s prefer to settle a case out of court and instead deal with the trucking company directly and this can be achieved especially when the trucking company has agreed to compensate knowing that their driver was the cause of the accident. Do not take the truck attorney for granted because you need them to be able to get justice and also get the right compensation for damages that may incur during a truck accident.

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