Day: February 12, 2018

Five Causes of Trucking Related Accidents

Personal injury lawyers

The trucking industry employs hundreds of thousands of drivers every year. Although minimal when compared to the number of truck drivers, accidents can and do occur. Because of the large weight of the truck and the cargo that it is carrying, these truck accidents are often fatal. While safe driving is important regardless of what type of automobile you are operating, it is crucial to prevent truck accidents.

Never hit the road until you are ready

Driving a truck with a heavy load is much different than driving a single vehicle on the road. There are different levers and different safety protocols. It is much more difficult to climb large mountains and very different to stop the truck. For this reason, truck drivers attend a truck school before being employed. While this school is sufficient for some drivers, it does not necessarily give everyone the length of training they require. If you are not entirely comfortable on the road, it is important to sign up for more training or request to ride along with another driver. The risk is too great to hit the road unprepared. Workplace injuries can also be expensive for the trucking company, making it necessary to fully evaluate each new driver before putting them on the road.

Never drive under the influence

Drinking and driving is a common temptation on the road. Truck drivers are under extreme time pressures and being on the road for days at a time can get lonely. Some drivers will send their off time at local bars or restaurants. It is easy to misgauge alcohol content. In 2015, nearly 1.1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. Some would say that driving a truck under the influence is even more serious, as it requires greater attention.

Get plenty of sleep

Alcohol and drugs is not the only dangerous thing that can affect truck driving safety. Fatigue is extremely common among truck drivers. Many drivers are paid by the mile and stopping to sleep means they are not getting paid. Some truck companies have attempting to cut down on fatigued driving by limiting the number of miles a truck driver can go in one day. This forces the driver to stop and take brakes as needed. Additionally, many truck stops have free bathrooms, showers, and other affordable accommodations.

Avoid distracted driving

With an increase in cell phone use, more and more people are being involved in car and truck accidents that involve distracted driving. Not only is operating a cell phone illegal while driving, but it is as dangerous as drinking and driving. Many truck drivers spend days, or even weeks, on the road and boredom can be a real problem. Find ways to entertain yourself without using your mobile phone. Upgrade your truck?s interior to include Bluetooth or hands free devices.

Slow down when needed

Road speed limit signs are for optimal driving conditions. It is important to slow down when the weather is bad or when there is construction on the road. There is a rise in construction accidents, especially when distracted driving is present. Additionally, drivers might not be aware of weather patterns and conditions in a new state and not be aware that slowing down is important. If you are unfamiliar with the roads, it is always a good idea to slow down. Follow all construction signs to avoid both fatalities and expensive fines.

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), over 37,000 U.S. residents die in road crashes annually. There was also an estimated 32,166 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. just in 2015. Truck accidents are on the rise with distracted driving, drunk driving, and fatigued driving being the most common causes. Avoid legal charges and having to hire a car accident attorney by following these safety tips.

Four Reasons you Need Commercial Construction Attorneys

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Construction crews work on all different types of projects. They might be involved in city planning of infrastructures. They might also be involved in the improvement of city roads and bridges. However, even more common are the use of construction workers in the real estate and building industry. Construction workers might be involved in the new build of real estate properties or they might be working directly with a homeowner on improving and expanding a residential property. Either way, it is important to be protected with sufficient insurance coverage and attorneys dedicated to construction law.

Insurance of workers
Many construction tasks require a lot of risks. Workers are constantly scaling large buildings, using heavy power tools, and using harsh chemical products. It is important to evaluate your current insurance carrier and exactly what is provided. Even a building designer or residential homeowner that chooses a construction company should evaluate the amount of insurance coverage. Anything that is not covered will pass onto the homeowner or the project designer. Working with attorneys can help you evaluate your current insurance plan and see if additional coverage is needed.

Coverage of building and supplies
A lot of money goes into the build. A new build requires labor hours, supplies, and tools. It is also a good idea to have these items covered under an insurance plan. If something happens to them or if the customer decides not to pay, this could result in a large financial hit to the construction business. In fact, it could even bankrupt a smaller construction business. Hiring attorneys after the fact for commercial litigation can also get very expensive. It is best to always be proactive and to have attorneys on retainer.

Evaluate the details of the contract
Many construction workers are surprised to learn that they can be liable if a problem with the property occurs, even well after they have completed the job. For this reason, it is important to have attorneys evaluate the litigation contract. There should be a statute of limitations and an even shorter liability term should be decided. Most states do have a standard statute of limitations for filing a claim, but this is often a few years, which is plenty of time to file a building complaint. For example per Texas law, a breach of contract claim must be filed within four years, unless the contract specifies two years.

To navigate the future of construction work
Construction practices are constantly changing. As technology becomes more present in the world, it is being applied to new purposes, including construction work. According to Colin Guinn of 3D Robotics, drones will help engineers and architects tackle various construction tasks more accurately. It is important to remember, however, that as new practices are introduced, new concerns are brought up. When it comes to technology, a few of the most common concerns include confidentiality, reliability, and cost. If technology is a part of your construction work planning, it is important to have attorneys familiar with these areas.

Additional legal construction concerns
Additionally, it is also a good idea to have attorneys familiar with employment law and nonconventional construction laws. Hiring a lawyer that is familiar with the construction industry is a great first step. They will navigate each of the construction concerns as they arise and then handle the appeals process, if necessary. There are many legal concerns that can arise during a standard construction transaction in the real estate industry.

According to the American Arbitration Association, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is the preferred conflict management process in the construction industry. The median time frame from filing to award for 2015 construction arbitration cases was just 232 days or less than eight months. Legal representation in the real estate and construction industries is very necessary to avoid expensive litigation and charges.