Munley Law Blog

What Are Mansfield Bars on a Truck?

You’ve likely noticed steel bars marked with bright reflective tape hanging beneath semi-truck trailers when driving on American highways. These critical safety devices, known as Mansfield bars, have saved thousands of lives by preventing one of the most catastrophic types of accidents on our roads: underride collisions, in which passenger vehicles slide underneath commercial trucks during rear-end crashes.

While Mansfield bars provide essential protection, they aren’t foolproof. Their effectiveness depends on proper installation and maintenance. Over time, damage, rust, or poor upkeep can compromise their ability to protect motorists. Drivers play an important role in highway safety by reporting trucks with missing or damaged Mansfield bars, as these safety violations not only put lives at risk but can also be factors in accident liability cases.

The American Story Behind Mansfield Bars

The history of these safety devices is rooted in tragedy. […]

What Are the Chances of Dying in a Car Crash?

It is common knowledge that when you climb into a motor vehicle, there is a certain level of risk. Car accidents are, in fact, one of the leading causes of death in the United States. But what exactly are the chances of dying in a car crash?

The Statistical Reality of Fatal Car Accidents

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of over 100 people every day. There are critical factors that increase or decrease the risk of fatality in a car accident, such as the type of car crash, the kind of roadway and road conditions, the type of motor vehicle, the characteristics of the driver, and other factors. The statistical reality of fatal car accidents in the United States is as follows:

• Current fatality rates: In 2023, approximately 44,450 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the United States, […]

Why Do Crowd Surges at Concerts Happen?

Crowd surges occur when large groups of people, typically in a confined space, move in the same direction. With such a mass of people moving at once, many can be injured or lose their lives in crushing accidents. Crowd surges have resulted in serious injury and death at concerts, sports venues, and other such environments.

Understanding crowd surges can help both attendees and organizers prevent dangerous situations. If you’re injured in a crowd surge, you may be entitled to compensation from those responsible. Contact Munley Law for a free consultation about your case.

The Science Behind Deadly Crowd Surges

A crowd surge usually requires two factors:

• A dense crowd, particularly if it’s packed into such a small space that crowd surging could make it difficult for members to move safely or even breathe
• A catalyst which can turn a dense but otherwise safe crowd into a hazard that results in death

An example of a catalyst is shouting “Fire” […]

6 High-Risk Jobs With Hidden Dangers

While injuries can happen to anyone, some jobs are far more dangerous than others. Employers are responsible for ensuring a safe workplace and offering fair compensation if something goes wrong. In many states, workers’ compensation laws allow employees to receive financial support for job-related injuries without having to prove that their employers were negligent, including coverage for medical expenses and lost income. Here, we take a look at six high-risk jobs with unexpected hazards.

Lesser-Known But Life-Threatening Occupations

Some jobs come with risks that aren’t immediately obvious, yet they carry life-threatening hazards. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,486 total fatal work-related injuries across all sectors in 2022. Roadway incidents were the leading cause, with 1,369 fatalities — and other causes included falls, slips, trips, and homicides.

OSHA violations in these fields often involve inadequate safety protocols and poor hazard management. […]

How Truck Weigh Station Violations Lead to Serious Trucking Accidents

Most of us have seen signs for truck weigh stations on the highway, but we aren’t really aware of what they are and how they affect us. In theory, weigh stations prevent dangerous overloaded commercial vehicles from sharing the highway with other motor vehicles. While a trained eye might be able to guess a truck is overweight by how the driver is maneuvering it and its breaking distance, you can’t know for sure. That is where weigh stations come in.

What Are Truck Weigh Stations and Why Are They Needed?

Weigh stations are strategic checkpoints where commercial vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds must stop for weight verification. You’ll typically find them near state borders and major transportation hubs. Inside the station’s scale house, Department of Transportation inspectors monitor trucks as they drive onto specialized scales – either permanent installations built into the ground or portable units placed on the road surface. […]