Failure to Properly Train Truck Drivers

Our country's interstates are full of trucks. It would be rare to merge onto a highway and not see a truck driver. Trucks are responsible for transporting a large percentage of goods around our country. With such a large amount of trucks on the road, this unfortunately leads to many accidents as well.

Whether at the high speeds of an interstate, or on city streets with stoplights and pedestrians, truck accidents can be devastating. An 18-wheeler is capable of seriously injuring a person no matter what the speed. An employer that allows unprepared drivers on to the road is likely to be held responsible for any accidents that may occur.

Truck companies are legally responsible for the proper training of their drivers. This includes helping them be well-versed in all safety procedures. Emergency training is especially important in the event of a serious accident.

Another common error in training includes a company's failure to not inform their drivers of the many regulations regarding the total number of hours allowed and number of breaks required of drivers. Each truck operator should be informed of these rules.

The knowledge required to drive a truck extends past obtaining the license to drive. There are many challenges involved in operating such a large vehicle. It is important that every single driver is trained to safely drive on our roads.

Truck drivers are a key part of our economy. Everyone benefits from this industry. But like in every area of motor vehicle accidents, when accidents occur they can be tragic and reveal errors within the industry.

For more information regarding employer negligence in failure to train drivers, visit the website of the Bronx truck accident lawyers at Parker Waichman Alonso LLP.

personal injury law

Ten Tips To Know Before You Are In An Auto Accident

What do you do when you have been in a car accident? If you don't know, you could panic and regret later what you did not do. Fortunately, my father has been an insurance adjuster for many years and drilled into the heads of his four children what TO do in case of an accident. Here are some points that will help you if you learn them before you are in a crisis situation. I can tell you from first-hand knowledge that you won't be thinking clearly when you see someone slam inito the side of your car and you can't do anything but steel yourself for the ongoing impact and wonder how badly you will be hurt. So, the wise move is to review these points BEfORE and IF it happens to you.

1. Stop your vehicle and, if necessary, move it to a safe position near the location of the accident. The law requires that you stop at the accident scene; failure to do so could result in a traffic ticket or a warrant for your arrest. You certainly don't want to add to your troubles.
   
   
   


2. If your vehicle isn't drivable, call a towing company to move your vehicle. Get the name, address, and phone number of the towing company and the name of the person that arrives from the towing company.
   
   
   


3. Check all involved parties for injuries. Anyone who can walk should move to a safe location and if necessary, call 911 for medical assistance. They will answer quickly and assure you that an emergency vehicle will be coming to your site of the accident.
   
   
   


4. Exchange contact information (names, addresses, and phone numbers) with all parties involved in the accident. Most people know this, but you may have to coach someone if they don't.
   
   
   


5. Get the year, make, model, license plate number, insurance carrier, and insurance policy number for all vehicles involved. You MUST do this step to expedite the process of repairing your vehicle and it gives something to do while you are waiting for the police to come.
   
   
   


6. Identify any witnesses to the accident and gather their contact information. If there are none, just sit quietly and try to calm down.
   
   
   


7. Contact the police. The police will advise you if their response to the scene is necessary and also contact the police if the accident involves a hit and run, if there are injuries to people, or if it is apparent that liability will be disputed. If police are present at the scene of the accident, get the police officer's name, phone number, and the police report number. You WILL need this information, I assure you, if there are conflicting stories on the police report that the policeman will take down from your testimony and that of the other party/parties involved in the accident.
   
   
   


8. Do not admit fault. Give details of the accident and cooperate with the police in providing answers to their questions. Do not say, "It was my fault!" Let the officer and/or the insurance company determine that. You can be agreeable, but don't admit fault.
   
   
   


9. If you have a camera in your possession, take photos of the damage to the vehicle, accident scene, and people involved. You need to make sure that you have adequate evidence. Your photos may catch details that others missed.
   
   
   


10. As soon as possible, contact your insurance agent and report the accident and ask them if there is any other information that you will need to file a claim.

In summary, here are some quick tips in case of an emergency you should always have in your car with you:

Always carry your insurance ID card and vehicle registration.

Keep a list of emergency contacts at all times.

Have a medical card with you if you have allergies to any medication, or have a condition that requires special attention.

Pens or pencils.

Paper or a note pad.

Flashlight.

Flares.

First-aid kit.

Blanket.

Jumper cables.

Rag or paper towels.

Trash bag.

Disposable camera or digital camera.

Having these few things with you will be of comfort in a time of pure stress. If your vehicle can be repaired, great. If not, just remember, if you walk away with no one harmed from the accident, that is priceless.

Oh my gosh, I've been in a wreck, who do I talk to?

Apr Low Uk airlines visa car accident attorney

Red Light Cameras Catch Runners in the Act

One of the larger suburbs on the San Francisco Peninsula, the city of San Mateo, California has nearly 96,000 people. The city enjoys a relatively low accident rate, which as many San Mateo car accident attorneys will tell you, is due in part to the city's pro-active traffic enforcement efforts.

Accident statistics from 2001 to 2003 reveal that San Mateo had six fatal car collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This works out to 0.6 fatal San Mateo car crashes per 10,000 people. This was far below the national average.

Statistics compiled by the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) showed that in 2006, 437 people were injured in San Mateo car crashes. A total of 38 pedestrians and 37 bicyclists suffered injuries. Motorcycle accidents injured 27. Additionally, in 2006, DUI crashes resulted in 40 injuries. In 2007, six car accidents resulted in as many fatalities.

Many San Mateo car collision lawyers have noted that red-light cameras can be effective in reducing car accidents. They add that these systems often deter would-be red-light runners because they catch violators in the act.

San Mateo introduced its Red-Light Photo Enforcement program in 2005 to reduce the number of car accidents and injuries. The city installed red-light cameras at key crash-prone intersections--including at Hillsdale and Saratoga Drive, Hillsdale and Norfolk Street, 4th Avenue and Humboldt Street, Ralston Ave and Old County Road, and El Camino Real and Ralston Avenue.

To further reduce its accident rate, and to address community concerns related to speeding, the city adopted a number of Traffic Calming Procedures in certain neighborhoods. Calming efforts included synthetic speed humps installed on Edinburgh Street between Virginia Avenue and Fordham Road. Recent speed surveys have shown that the speed humps have reduced traffic speeds on Edinburgh by seven miles per hour (from 32 mph to 25 mph).

The police department was also out in force with state-of-art laser equipment and new radar guns. This effort underscores the city's commitment to slow down motorists and reduce the incidents of injury crashes. City records show that speed is the primary factor in injury collisions.

To help keep drunk drivers off its streets, the county implemented its Avoid the 23 campaign. The effort enlists the services of 23 county law enforcement agencies to crack down on drunk drivers through public education, community help and strict, quick enforcement.

In over three decades, BISNAR | CHASE lawyers have represented over six thousand people in car, motorcycle, truck, pedestrian and other personal injury cases. The law firm has an "AV" rating, the highest level of professional excellence, by Martindale-Hubbell. John Bisnar, who is the author of this article, and his partner Brian Chase each have a "Superb 10/10" Avvo rating, the highest possible. John was named a "Community Hero" by the United Way, while Brian was named a "Trial Lawyer of the Year" in 2004,one of the 2007 Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and a 2009 OC METRO Top Personal Injury Lawyer. Isn't this the legal team you want representing you? For more information on San Mateo car accident lawyers, visit the BISNAR | CHASE website at http://www.BestAttorney.com where you can get a complimentary copy of the book "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Can Wreck Your California Personal Injury Claim" ($14.99 value), or call 1-800-561-4887 for a free consultation.

Copyright 2009 BISNAR | CHASE. All Rights Reserved.

auto loans a conference call