Trucking accident cases are much more complicated than regular auto accident cases. There are many reasons for this, and a big one is the very complex set of federal laws which govern the trucking industry and which your attorney must thoroughly understand. Failure to comply with these laws is often at the heart of fault and responsibility in truck accidents.

All of these regulations carry with them strict rules for record keeping to prove compliance. Theoretically, this should make it easy to determine when laws were broken or mistakes were made. However, the massive amounts of paperwork can be difficult to navigate, and many trucking companies falsify documents or use elusive practices to obscure violations. It takes a very skilled trucking accident attorney to use these records properly. Your attorney must know which documents to request and how to read and interpret them to find any discrepancies which will reveal violations.

Time On the Road

Hours of service regulations (HOS) are the rules which govern how long a driver may spend on the road in one stretch, and how often he must rest. They are detailed and complicated outlining consecutive hours, total hours in a day, total hours in a month, and so on. HOS are a very controversial aspect of federal trucking regulations, and opponents believe that they actually contribute to, rather than reducing, fatigue.

Fatigue is a contributing factor in most trucking accidents. Fatigue and HOS violations are very often the result of unrealistic schedules imposed on drivers by trucking companies.

Truck drivers can lose their CDL (commercial driver’s license) for HOS violations, meaning that they lose their livelihood, so they are motivated to obey the law. But, refusing to comply with unrealistic schedules can also mean losing their job or being passed over for loads and, therefore, losing a paycheck. Competition is stiff in the trucking industry.

Truck drivers are required to keep log books which include records of their driving times and receipts for fuel purchases. Some drivers falsify entries, and some trucking companies instruct their drivers to falsify entries in order to make quicker deliveries.

At first glance, a log book may show that everything is on the up and up – that the driver was in compliance with HOS. On closer inspection however, discrepancies in receipt times and locations may not match up with driving time records, indicating that the driver did not comply with HOS or was speeding.

If it can be proven that the trucking company imposed an unrealistic schedule on the driver and/or encouraged the driver to falsify log book entries, the trucking company can be held responsible.

Furthermore, trucking companies have a duty to maintain their trucks and keep them in safe operating condition. Truck drivers play an important role in this process; they must inspect their trucks daily. Ultimately, however, the trucking company bears the burden and cannot require or allow a driver to operate an unsafe truck.

Hazardous Materials

The transportation of hazardous materials is very strictly regulated. A driver must have special training and hold a special class of license in order to transport them, and there are very specific rules and regulations regarding where they may be parked, what routes they can take and how they must be secured.

An accident involving hazardous materials can mean evacuations, injuries to large numbers of people, and serious property damage.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Maryland, Virginia or Washington DC, please contact Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/trucks-articles/trucking-accidents-federal-trucking-laws-695374.html

Author: Patricia Woloch

When 2008 is all said and done, the auto industry will have marked one of its worst years in decades. A slowing economy, high gas prices, and fickle consumers will be among the top reasons cited for the tough year, though the latter reason may not be fully explained. After all, if the economy stinks and gas prices are high, why wouldn't consumers avoid big cars, trucks, and SUVs?

Now that gas prices have dropped - at least temporarily - consumers are once again flocking to the pick up truck market, making the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado the two top selling vehicles for October 2007, a position they regularly held month in and month out for years. Yes, pick up trucks are back, but maybe not for the reasons that you may think.

Let's take a look at this recent phenomenon and whether the sales boost for a key segment in automobile selling will last.

Hammered since the beginning of the year by slow sales, the truck segment has found itself in an unusual position: more passenger cars than trucks have been sold month in and month out for a good part of the year. At the center of this change is high gas prices which pushed well above $4 per gallon for regular gas earlier this summer. That, along with a sour economy, took its toll on the sale of the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra. $100 fill ups scared off even the most loyal buyers, who decided to wait out the market.

Throughout the toughest months, incentives for new trucks reached their highest levels ever as automakers dropped their prices in a bid to bring people to the showroom. Finally, in early September when gas prices began their current retreat, buyers started to show up and sales climbed. In October Ford, GM and Chrysler were rewarded with a nice boost in truck sales thanks to the combination of incentives and fast dropping gas prices.

Indeed, for the month the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado once again finished one-two in sales, easily besting the number three best selling vehicle, the Toyota Camry, by some fifty percent.

The sales increase should also be attributed to something else besides incentives and lower gas prices and that would be pent up demand. Figuring that quite a few owners would have traded up earlier in the year, but hesitated due to market conditions, the latest boost likely reflects the opening of floodgates to meet previously restrained consumer demand. Now has become a good time to buy and the market reflects that change.

Will the sales boost last beyond a month or two? That remains to be seen. If gas prices remain below two dollars per gallon and the economy stabilizes, then truck sales should remain strong. If the economy worsens, then all bets are off; the market could collapse regardless of how low gas prices go.

Not everyone is thrilled that trucks sales have rebounded, particularly those who think it will cause drivers to use more gas, thereby increasing our dependency on foreign sources of oil while causing more pollution. Yet, for the big automakers who are dependent on truck sales to drive profits, the rebound is welcome even if it turns out to be just a temporary boost.

Author: Matthew C. Keegan

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary, North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including custom racing seats and tonneau covers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/trucks-articles/surprise-pick-up-trucks-are-tops-once-again-659751.html

About the Author:

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary, North Carolina. Matt provides magazine, web content, and article writing services to clients all over the world serving the automotive, human interest, and business communities. Matthew Keegan | Musings is his personal weblog.

Accessories are not only used to give some personal touch to luxurious vehicles. Nowadays, there are a lot of truck accessories on the market that you can place on your favorite street machine- your truck. These accessories for pickups can enhance the visual appearance of your auto and some products can even add functionality. As a matter of fact, the use of truck add-ons has supported pickups to go beyond their primary performance and functionality. So, the ordinary utility vehicle, which is designed to haul loads and construction materials is now becoming a famous ride for daily commute and a choice for 4x4 escapade.

The market of truck accessories is certainly huge, making it sometimes complex where to start. There are plenty of choices available when you choose and buy accessories and parts for your rig, not only from your local dealer but also on the World Wide Web. In general, the idea of customizing and improving the appearance of your rig is really fun. You must identify first the things that really need some development before searching for added accessories. Remember that accessorizing your vehicle can be simple or as complicated as you make it. There are interior accessories and exterior accessories that you can place to your ride.

Interior accessories are primarily made to give comfort and security to you as the driver and your passengers also. Moreover, there are products that can enhance the inside of your vehicle, giving a wonderful ambiance for a relaxing and stress-free ride. Examples of primary interior accessories are replacement carpets, cargo trays, mats, floor liners, cup holders, dash covers and seat covers that can help you keep your truck neat and ordered. And the accessories that give hi-tech features for your convenience and safety are GPS navigation systems, portable freezers, security consoles as well as speedos and gauges.

Alternatively, placing exterior accessories is one of the most famous and effective ways for you to express your personal preference and style when it comes to your precious automobile. These add-ons will give your truck a new level of appeal that can guarantee turn heads while cruising on the street. Also, there are supplementary products that can give extra functionality to your rig like tonneau covers, roof racks, headache racks, cargo management systems and truck bed rails. Other accessories that offer comfort and protection include fender flares, nerf bars or running boards, bumpers, grille guards, hood shields and winches.

When searching for aftermarket and sensible truck accessories, it is always great to consider first the functional value before the outer appearance. In this way, you can get the best value for your budget without completely compromising the outer form of your truck. After all, majority of accessories for trucks are designed to look good and give added functionality. Enhancing your auto with the hottest accessories will give it a personal feel and say a little about your character.

And the most trouble-free way to shop for accessories is to go to your local auto shops. However if you want to save time by not driving down to different stores in your locality, surf the internet and search for online auto stores. This method will offer you a huge range of products that will give you an idea of what is best and at what rates. You can also compare the prices of numerous shops and have the best transactions.

With customizing your truck, there is actually no limit to what you can decide to do. It mostly depends on your lifestyle, particular needs and budget, too. Besides, you accessorize your rig to give it the appearance and features you want.

Author: Karl Cruz