How Do Truck Drivers Get Paid?

Truck Accident Attorneys at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys explain truck driver pay and job-related hazards

Truck drivers are essential to our economy and should be compensated as such. While truck driving can be a good way to make a living, it is not without risks. Many trucking and transportation companies prioritize safety and the well-being of their workers; however, some companies push their drivers to physical and financial limits, which can have disastrous effects on driver safety. As truck accident attorneys, we represent many truck drivers who have been hurt on the job. A truck accident attorney knows how trucking company practices and safety violations can put truckers at risk.  In this article, our truck accident lawyers will outline the various ways truck driver pay is determined, and highlight important links between driver pay and highway safety.

What is the average truck driver’s salary? […]

What to Do After a Truck Accident

We know that if you or a loved have been injuried in a truck accident, you may have many questions. You may be wondering what to do after a truck accident. An experienced truck accident lawyer at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can answer your questions. We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions here. You can also call us at 844.385.7535 for a free case evaluation where we can discuss the specific details of your truck crash. We will help you understand your rights and what you need to do.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident Happened

In the immediate aftermath of a truck accident, there are things to do at the accident scene if you are able. The steps to take include:

• Remain calm
• Stay in your vehicle if it is safe to do so
• Turn on your hazard lights
• Use your cell phone to call 911, […]

Can I Sue Someone Personally After a Truck Accident?

After you’ve been in a trucking accident, you may be faced with medical debt, property damage, ongoing pain and suffering, and even possible funeral expenses. One way to recoup your expenses is through a truck accident lawsuit. Many people wonder: is it possible to sue someone personally after a truck accident?

The truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can answer this question, and help you determine the best way to get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of the nation’s top truck accident attorneys. 

Because of the immense weight and size of tractor trailers and other large trucks, truck accidents often result in serious injuries and damages. This is especially true if the accident involves a crash between a large truck and a much smaller passenger vehicle.  […]

FMCSA Proposes New Under-21 Commercial Driver Pilot Program

Proposed pilot program would allow 18-20 year old drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles

The nation’s leading accident lawyers weigh in on the under-21 commercial driver program

On September 4, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a new proposal. Under the proposed program, the FMCSA would allow 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). 49 states and the District of Columbia already permit drivers 18-20 with Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL) to operate CMVs in-state. However, the proposed FMCSA program would enable these under-21 drivers to deliver goods across state lines. As of now, the under-21 commercial driver pilot program is still open for public comment and awaiting approval.

Eligible under-21 commercial drivers

The FMCSA‘s proposed pilot program applies to two categories of drivers. […]

Fatal tractor trailer crash on I-81 in Lackawanna County

A Dickson City man and a Philadelphia woman were killed in a crash with a tractor trailer on I-81 in Moosic, PA at around 11:20 PM Wednesday, October 7, 2020. The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that fire departments from Moosic, Avoca and Taylor responded to the crash scene, along with multiple EMS units. The highway was shut down for hours overnight before reopening around 7AM on Thursday morning. Initial reports say that the tractor-trailer struck the victims’ vehicle while attempting to change lanes; both vehicles then went over an embankment and the car was crushed under the truck. The truck driver was not seriously injured.

Additional investigation will determine the exact cause of the crash. The days following a tractor-trailer crash will be critical in collecting and preserving evidence in order to determine if negligence contributed to this tragedy. Most tractor-trailers are equipped with black box data recorders containing all kinds of information about the truck and driver in the moments leading up to the crash. […]

Mobile apps for truckers

Technology and the modern truck driver

When Apple first introduced the iPhone in 2007, we could not have predicted how significantly smartphones would change our world. Of course as the technology has improved over the years, so has the number and quality of mobile applications (“apps”) on both iOS (AppStore) and Android (Google Play) operations systems. But did you know there exists a large subculture of apps for truckers? Below, we’ll outline some of the popular apps designed specifically for truckers.

Note: Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys does not encourage truck drivers to use their smartphones while they are driving – there is no room for error on the road and distractions already abound. It is a way to endanger your life and the lives of others.  If you do use one or more of the apps described here, please be sure to access them before you hit the road or at a rest stop – […]

Self-driving trucks: what does the future look like?

The (latest) future of self-driving trucks

As autonomous vehicles are increasingly produced, a more daring venture on the horizon is the advent of self-driving trucks. News of these developments started several years ago – what progress has the industry made since then? And, what kind of impact could self-driving trucks have on road and driver safety, as well as potential legal ramifications?

Today, autonomous driving technology is one of the most discussed new developments on the horizon.  Over the past five years, many companies have been developing self-driving technology both for cars and for long-haul trucks. Our truck accident lawyer takes a look at self-driving vehicles and what they could mean for the future of transit, road safety, traffic incidents and indeed the wider economy.

What is “autonomy”?

Before we go any further, it is important to demonstrate exactly what is meant by “autonomy.”

The industry has adopted the following levels of increasing technological complexity, […]

Who is to blame? Potential defendants in a truck case

In a truck accident case, who can be held responsible?

If you were hurt in an accident that involved a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, dump truck, big rig, garbage truck, or another large commercial vehicle, you may be wondering whether you can file a lawsuit and who you should sue.

To determine exactly which parties are appropriate to name as defendants in your case, you should consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer about the specific details of your accident and injuries. A lawyer will examine the facts of your case and identify all possible sources of recovery – including some you might not be aware of.

The following are common defendants for claims involving catastrophic truck accidents:

• Truck Drivers – If a truck driver was at fault for the accident that caused your injuries, […]

Truck crash on I-81 claims two lives

Yesterday, a tractor trailer crash on Interstate 81 killed two people and seriously injured two others.

A family from Canada was traveling on I-81 northbound in Scott Township near the Fleetville exit.  They were stopped in traffic when they were rear-ended by a tractor trailer operated by JVM Transport. The truck crash killed the 45-year-old father and 10-year-old son; the mother and daughter were taken to the hospital in Lackawanna County. The driver of another tractor trailer that had been stopped in traffic was also taken to the hospital.

Via WNEP: “According to investigators, the big rig did not stop in time and hit the car which was stopped in traffic from an earlier crash.” 

Dan Munley, former chair of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Trucking Litigation Group, states that  “we have handled other cases in our area where a tractor trailer failed to stop in traffic and either killed or seriously injured another driver. […]

Truck driver shortage raises safety questions

Why is there a truck driver shortage?

The trucking industry is in need of truck drivers. The shortage of truck drivers in the past 15 years has been a burden on the trucking industry.  The shortage of drivers has seen delayed deliveries, and higher prices on goods all over the U.S.  According to the American Trucking Association, more than 70 percent of goods are moved by the trucking industry, and more than 900,000 new truckers are needed to pick up delivery demands.  The shortage of truckers has forced some major retailers to pay higher prices on shipments so that they may arrive on time.

This desperate time has lead the trucking industry to increase pay for truckers by 15 percent just to attract new entrants in the industry.  They are also offering sign-on bonuses to new truckers, and major pay raises.  […]

Family of Marine killed in truck crash receives $8M settlement

Representing the Stevens family has been one of the greatest honors of our careers. It has been our privilege to advocate on their behalf and bring this case to a just resolution.  Read more about the case below.

On Monday, the truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys reached an $8 million settlement in a case stemming from a deadly truck accident in Susquehanna County. The crash claimed the life of 27-year-old Staff Sergeant Andrew Stevens.  Stevens was an active duty Marine and the father of two young boys. He served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was in town for his sister’s wedding. His wife Katherine Stevens was represented by Marion Munley, Robert W. Munley, III, and Caroline Munley. The case was scheduled for trial this week before the Honorable John Jones of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. […]

Bipartisan Underride Bill Could Prevent Deadly Crashes

Truck underride bill to require new safety standards

Lawmakers from both parties recently introduced a potentially life-saving bill to mandate that underride guards be installed on the front and sides of large trucks. The Stop Underrides Act of 2017 was introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D- N.Y.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as well as Reps. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.).

Under the current federal law, underride guards are only required for the back of trucks. The proposed bill would also require an update of the outdated standards for underride guards on the rear of a truck. Guards would be required to be tested and would need to prevent a vehicle traveling at 35 mph from sliding under a tractor trailer. The standard would apply to single-unit trucks, semis and trailers weighing more than 10,000 lbs.

The goal of this new legislation is to prevent deadly truck underride crashes. […]

The race for driverless truck and car technology

Driverless vehicles are being tested on roads right now. The LA Times published that in a race to embrace driverless vehicles, Washington has cleared away regulatory hurdles for automakers and brushed aside consumer warnings about the risk of crashes and hacking. The NHTSA earlier this year published a voluntary policy on automated driving systems and said it is working on more policies. Basically, the industry is left to regulate itself.

Tesla’s new electric semi-truck unveiled

Last week Tesla introduced a fully electric semi-truck. The truck is equipped with Enhanced Autopilot, the second generation of Tesla’s semi-autonomous technology. It’s equipped with automatic braking, lane-keeping, and lane departure warnings.

Our Scranton truck accident lawyer is concerned that enough testing is done on autonomous semi-trucks before they are introduced onto public roadways. While the electric truck business is still in the early stages and won’t be prevalent for years, […]

Truck Accident on I-81 in Wilkes-Barre

Tractor trailer crash on I-81 in Wilkes-Barre – a truck accident lawyer’s perspective

A truck accident near the Highland Park Boulevard exit in Wilkes-Barre, PA this morning shut down Interstate 81 when one tractor trailer rear-ended another at around 4 a.m. One driver was trapped inside his truck and was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries.

Wilkes-Barre truck accident lawyer and former chairman of the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group Dan Munley notes the significance of the time of the crash: “Leading indicators show that at the time of the crash, the truck driver would have been at an increased risk for a fatigue-related accident.” A complete investigation will determine whether fatigue played a role in this case.

The human body operates on a 24-hour cycle, during which we are programmed to need rest at certain times of day. […]

Feds abandon driver fatigue test, put “millions of lives at risk”

Feds drop another transportation safety rule, scrap sleep disorder testing

In the latest slash to federal regulations, many of which concern public safety, federal transportation agencies have dropped efforts to improve detection of sleep apnea, a breathing disorder linked to driver fatigue and deadly train and truck accidents.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have moved to leave testing to individual transport and rail companies.

New York’s  MTA and some private transportation companies made moves in the last year to test their drivers and engineers for sleep apnea, a sleep disorder linked to deadly crashes. Metro North in New York found that more than 11% of their drivers tested had sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea? Why should drivers and engineers be tested?

Obstructive  sleep apnea is a disorder that causes the throat muscles to relax and close the wind pipe during sleep. […]

Families leading the fight for safer trucks

Who doesn’t want safer trucks? Weighing 80,000 lbs and driven by truckers too often pushed to their physical and mental limits, a tractor trailer barreling down the highway at 70+ mph can cause unimaginable damage in an accident. Still, potentially life-saving measures leading the fight for safer trucks are the people who know too well the devastation these vehicles can cause — the parents of children killed in tractor trailer collisions. Their mission has become to improve safety regulations that can save lives and prevent other families from experiencing the unnecessary loss that they have. However, even when the benefits are obvious and the costs minimal, truck safety regulations stall.

Underride Guards

Two mothers have devoted their lives to advocating for better underride guards after their children were killed in underride crashes. Marianne Karth and Lois Durso both lost their daughters in crashes involving tractor trailers. […]

Trucking companies to increase testing for deadly sleep apnea

Truck drivers face high risk for sleep apnea

Trucking companies may more frequently screen their drivers for sleep apnea in an effort to combat drowsy driving accidents.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder that causes breathing to start and stop during sleep, leading to less restful sleep and increased drowsiness. For drivers, especially truckers, bus drivers, or train engineers, drowsiness can become deadly.

Why test truck drivers for sleep apnea?

Truck drivers’ concern with sleep apnea is twofold. Their profession makes them both more likely to develop sleep apnea, and more at risk of death from its effects.

Driving a truck involves sitting for long periods of time, eating at truck stops along the road, and irregular sleeping schedules. Factors that can contribute to sleep apnea include obesity, smoking, bad diet, and poor sleep habits. […]

Side Underride Guards May Be the Difference Between Life and Death

First-Ever Side Underride Crash Tests

A new crash test from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows exactly how side underride guards on tractor trailers can mean the difference between life and death.

A side underride crash occurs when a passenger vehicle collides with the side of a trailer or heavy truck. The results are grisly. The impact can shear the top of the smaller vehicle and kill the occupants.

The IIHS has long been measuring rear-underride guard effectiveness, but this is the first test of side guards.  Researchers ran two midsize cars into the sides of two semi-trailers at 35 mph. One trailer was equipped with a fiberglass side panel, and the other with the “AngelWing” underride protector from Airflow Deflector, Inc.

Tractor Trailer Side Underride Guard Test Results:

Fiberglass panel – As the above photo shows, the car went right through the panel and became lodged under the trailer. […]

New tech solutions for truck safety

As truck accident lawyers, we don’t just handle truck accident cases, we also strive to improve safety on our nation’s highways. We regularly join with other advocates across the country in support of better safety laws and regulations. Sometimes, working toward change can feel like an uphill battle. So, it’s especially gratifying to see trucking companies and researchers voluntarily investing in safety technology that will save lives.

Artificial Daylight to Improve Trucker Health, Safety

One exciting tech solution to a serious truck safety issue is the use of artificial daylight in truck cabs.

Logging 10+ hour days and making long overnight trips can take a toll on truck drivers’ physical and mental health. It also presents a safety hazard – a drowsy driver behind the wheel of an 80,000lb vehicle can spell disaster. So,  researchers in Germany sought to counteract the effects of darkness on the brain.   […]

At Long Last, Better Underride Guards on Tractor-Trailers

New underride guards to help prevent fatalities in the event of a crash

How about some good news? After years of pressure from safety advocates, semitrailer companies are making changes.

For the first time, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has issued the “Toughguard” rating to semi-trailer manufacturers who pass the new underride guard crash tests. Five of eight of the largest North American semitrailer manufacturers earned top honors.

An underride guard is the metal bumper on the rear of a tractor-trailer, designed to keep smaller cars from going underneath the truck in the event of a rear-end crash. However, underride guards frequently prove ineffective, breaking or buckling in a collision. When they fail, cars slide under the rear of the trailer, crushing the cabin, as in the photo below. As you can see in the picture, vehicle occupants stand little chance of survival. […]