There are 62 million households that share their space with a dog. That number comes from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and they should know! Given how many truck drivers there are working in the country, it is a safe bet that many of those drivers would like to take their pups on the road. Can truck drivers have dogs in the cab? That depends a lot on what company they are driving for. Pet Travel Permissions and Restrictions If a truck driver opts to bring their [...]
The trucking industry is the backbone of American commerce, transporting goods from state to state and shore to shore while fueling our economy. Unfortunately, the compensation model used by most of the trucking industry—pay-per-mile—raises significant safety concerns, as well as some ethical questions from many truck accident lawyers about incentivizing speeding and excessive driving time. The common concern is that this model, while seemingly straightforward and efficient, places added pressure and incentives on drivers to take unnecessary risks and put themselves in unsafe working conditions, all of which [...]
Everyone knows that a ton equals 2,000 pounds. According to data from the American Trucking Associations, the trucking industry transported 11.46 billion tons of freight in 2022, an astronomical number of pounds of goods. All those trucks need to comply with federal and state regulations pertaining to weight limits. Anyone who shares the road with 18-wheelers should wonder what happens if a truck is overweight at the weigh station. That answer depends on how much overweight and if there are valid permits. Overweight at a Weigh Station There [...]
Imagine this scenario: You’re up early to beat the morning commute and head out on the highway. Suddenly, you encounter a gooey mess strewn all over the highway. One morning in Vacaville, California, a semi-truck lost control, made a sharp turn, and spilled over 150,000 tomatoes across Interstate 80. As cars plowed through the tomatoes, they churned them into a slurry mess that set off a chain reaction accident that sent seven motorists to the hospital. That was one of the most dangerous truck spills on American highways. [...]
It’s common to lose track of time, especially if you’re performing mundane tasks at work or when you’re out having fun with friends. That same sensation of “lost time” can also occur while driving. That's a phenomenon known as highway hypnosis or white-line fever. It happens when your brain takes over, and you drive as a matter of routine while losing touch with your surroundings. It is also a condition that can lead to accidents. Understanding Highway Hypnosis Highway hypnosis is best described as losing a sense of [...]
One of the most popular resolutions many people make each year is to get into better shape. Unfortunately, that pledge is hard for many to follow through on, and it can impact all aspects of society, including the trucking industry. According to data collected by the American Trucking Associations, there were 3.54 million truck drivers employed in the U.S. in 2022. The concern is that a poor diet could lead to poor driving behavior in truckers, and that translates into an increased risk of accidents. A study published [...]
Have you ever pulled up to the back of a semi-truck with a sign asking, “How am I driving?” That is usually accompanied by a phone number that will let you call the trucking company and tell them exactly how their employee is driving. According to the Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2020 report published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 168,000 truck accidents that year, with 32% of those incidents involving injury and 3% involving fatalities. There is room for improvement. Given [...]
Even though they don’t happen as often as car crashes, truck accidents always make the news. That's especially true if the collisions trigger traffic jams and fiery explosions. Any time you get behind the wheel of your car, you need to be on alert for the potential for a wreck. When you approach a truck, you have to be extra diligent. It will help to know when, why, and where most truck accidents occur. Types of Roadways Where Tractor-Trailer Crashes Happen A good day for the Insurance Institute [...]
The many freeways and Interstates of the Pacific Northwest allow for massive amounts of commercial trucking, connecting us across the nation and around the world. An unfortunate reality of this, however, is that driving larger vehicles like commercial trucks (and sharing the road with them) can present unique challenges compared to smaller vehicles. While trucks are essential for transporting goods and heavy loads, their design and function inherently make them less stable. Below, we’ll explore why larger vehicles like trucks are less stable, emphasizing the key elements that [...]
Take into account the number 154,993. That’s the number of individuals injured in traffic accidents that involved semi-trucks in a single year, according to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Reaching an agreement in a personal injury case helps bring a sense of closure to the plaintiff. Anyone involved in this type of incident will ask, “How long after a truck accident settlement do I get paid?” The answer depends on who is cutting the check and who is advocating for your cause. Five Steps [...]
