Archive for June 2020
Electronic Control Modules in Trucking Cases
Any time there is a tragic airplane crash, one of the most crucial pieces of evidence to investigators is the plane’s “black box.” Likewise, commercial tractor-trailers are equipped with a “black box” that records certain data about the truck’s operations. Though they’re often referred to as “black boxes,” the on-board computer device in trucks are…
Read MorePre-trip Inspections Can Be the Difference Between Life and Death
Under section 392 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), no commercial motor vehicle (CMV) can be driven unless the driver is satisfied that the following parts and accessories are in good working order: Service brakes, including trailer brake connections; parking (hand) brake; Steering mechanism; Lighting devices and reflectors; Tires; Horn; Windshield wiper or…
Read MoreWhat are the requirements to become a truck driver?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, governs interstate trucking nationwide. To provide guidance to trucking companies, the FMCSA issued the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs or “federal regs”). Sections 383 and 391 of the FMCSRs outline the minimal requirements for interstate commercial truck drivers. What…
Read MoreTanker Truck Company Improves Safety Dramatically with Blinking Rear Lights
Recently, FleetOwner, an online magazine covering the commercial transportation industry, published an article highlighting how one trucking company implemented new technology to reduce collisions amongst its fleet.[1] Groendyke Transport of Oklahoma installed blinking amber lights on the back of its tanker trucks at a cost of $150 per light. Groendyke had already made a significant…
Read MoreWhat is “Assignment” of a Bad Faith Claim?
When an insurance company fails to settle a claim within its insured’s policy limits (despite a reasonable likelihood that a verdict will exceed those policy limits), the insurance company may be exposed to a claim for bad faith. Under the law, an insurance company has a duty to give fair consideration to the rights of…
Read MoreWhat is Qualified Immunity?
As the nation continues to respond to the death of George Floyd, a number of politicians and others have called for an end to qualified immunity for police officers. So, what is qualified immunity? In short, qualified immunity is a legal doctrine that protects certain government agents from personal liability for discretionary actions within their…
Read MoreWhat companies can be held liable for truck accidents?
At over 80,000 pounds fully loaded, a tractor-trailer weighs at least 26 times more than the average passenger car. Unsurprisingly then, when a tractor-trailer driver loses control of his truck on a congested highway, the damage can be tremendous. In many truck accidents, multiple vehicles will be struck, sometimes with several passengers in each. Often,…
Read MoreCFA says auto insurers are not doing enough to provide premium relief for drivers
A recent report published by the Center for Economic Justice and the Consumer Federation of America finds that while some auto insurers have provided premium relief and rebates to customers in light of reduced driving due to COVID-19, “most insurers’ auto insurance premium relief has not been sufficient.” The report, Personal Auto Insurance Premium Relief…
Read MoreHow to Retrieve Your Own Medical Records
When we evaluate potential vaccine cases, our team at Shannon Law Group likes to look at the potential client’s medical records. In vaccine cases, the medical records play a crucial role in proving a client’s entitlement to compensation, as well as to our own assessment of a petition’s reasonable basis. Obviously, in certain scenarios, we…
Read MoreU.S. Closer to COVID-19 Vaccine
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as well as the White House Coronavirus Task Force, the U.S. should have 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of 2020. The current vaccine, made by a biotech company called Moderna, will be in its final stage of volunteer trials by…
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