Families of truck crash victims take action through Truck Safety Coalition
Every year, thousands of Americans suffer fatal injuries from truck crashes. Each one of those victims could leave behind dozens of family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors who are affected by a preventable tragedy. This week, the Truck Safety Coalition hosted a Sorrow to Strength conference. Truck crash survivors, and the families and friends of those killed...
Families of truck crash victims take action through Truck Safety Coalition Continue reading…The brain injury case that reminds me of why I became a lawyer
I know a lot of very nice people, who refer other nice people to me when they need legal help. As a result, most of my clients are pretty great. But the Robinsons are particularly kind, good people. They didn’t deserve to have their lives changed like this. The crash The Robinsons were heading home...
The brain injury case that reminds me of why I became a lawyer Continue reading…This crash shows you exactly why trucking companies are supposed to do safety inspections
A quick lesson in trucking law: maintenance duty You probably know that specific laws and regulations apply to all commercial trucks that use our public highways.* One of those rules: every trucking company must have a regular truck maintenance program to keep its equipment in safe operating condition. As a back-up, the truck driver must also conduct pre-trip...
This crash shows you exactly why trucking companies are supposed to do safety inspections Continue reading…One thing you can do to help after Aurora Bridge crash in Seattle
You have probably seen the heartbreaking images from today's crash between a charter bus and a Ride the Ducks vehicle on the Aurora Avenue Bridge. Many people are saddened by this tragedy. But if you live in Seattle, there is one thing you can actually do to help, right now. Helpful Reading: Aurora Avenue Seattle...
One thing you can do to help after Aurora Bridge crash in Seattle Continue reading…6 important details from NTSB report on Tracy Morgan semi-truck crash
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is tasked with investigating serious transportation accidents. On August 11, the NTSB issued their initial report on a 2014 fatal semi-truck crash that killed one man, and seriously injured several others—including actor Tracy Morgan. See background, details on the fatal truck crash Six important details from the semi-truck crash...
6 important details from NTSB report on Tracy Morgan semi-truck crash Continue reading…Senator’s Truck Safety Act calls for hourly pay, insurance fix
Late on Friday, Senator Cory Booker introduced The Truck Safety Act (S. 1739). The bill would update Reagan-era insurance minimums; pay truckers for their time instead of their mileage; and, make commercial trucks use some of the same safety technology as passenger cars. Fixing the minimum amount of insurance for trucks The minimum amount of insurance...
Senator’s Truck Safety Act calls for hourly pay, insurance fix Continue reading…No one wants take the car keys from elderly people – and that’s a problem.
Driving a car means keeping mobility and independence for many elderly Americans. But about 14 million drivers have been in a car crash or other road incident caused by an elderly driver in the last year. The good news: Even though older drivers are involved in a high number of car crashes, they have low...
No one wants take the car keys from elderly people – and that’s a problem. Continue reading…Trucking groups are fighting truck insurance minimums – and they shouldn’t be
Last month, the House of Representatives quietly passed HR 2577. It is a bill to fund transportation—but it has a provision to stop the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from updating the minimum insurance policy for commercial trucks … an insurance minimum that hasn’t been updated since 1980. See Congress is wrong: why the minimum insurance limits...
Trucking groups are fighting truck insurance minimums – and they shouldn’t be Continue reading…Congress is wrong: why the minimum insurance limits for trucks need to change
In June, the US House of Representatives passed a transportation bill – HR 2577– with a strange provision: it stops the Department of Transportation from updating minimum trucking insurance requirements. Commercial truck insurance minimums haven’t changed in 30 years. The federal government sets a “floor”: a minimum amount of insurance coverage commercial trucks must carry. There...
Congress is wrong: why the minimum insurance limits for trucks need to change Continue reading…A link between brain injuries and depression
The connection between brain injuries and depression is widely accepted, although not fully understood. Doctors have long known that some traumatic brain injuries—even concussions—can lead to severe depression and anxiety. But the connection between brain injuries and depression hasn’t been clearly defined. Now, researchers have found a clue: damaged neural signal carriers, deep inside the...
A link between brain injuries and depression Continue reading…The Golden Rule for safe summer driving
It’s the start of a season of warm weather, family vacations, and outdoor adventures. But summer break has an unfortunate side affect: the extra highway traffic. Memorial Day Weekend is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. Your vehicle could seriously hurt or kill someone. Driving safely is a serious responsibility,...
The Golden Rule for safe summer driving Continue reading…All heavy trucks should have crash-avoidance braking systems by now
This is a “forward collision avoidance and mitigation braking” system. Volvo shows how the auto-braking system could prevent thousands of rear-end truck crashes a year When radar and sensors detect a slow-moving vehicle or stopped car ahead, the “F-CAM” system warns the truck driver. If the driver doesn’t brake, the system takes over to avoid...
All heavy trucks should have crash-avoidance braking systems by now Continue reading…