Munley Law Blog

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. […]

Understanding Trucking Hazmat Signs

If you have ever driven behind a truck carrying hazardous materials, you have probably wondered what all the colorful stickers mean and what they are for. These stickers are called hazardous material (hazmat) placards. They notify anyone around the hazmat-carrying truck of the dangers of its contents and guide first responders on how to address the materials in case of an emergency safely. If you have been involved in an accident with a truck carrying hazardous cargo, you need experienced truck attorneys. At Munley Law, our trucking accident attorneys investigate your case and get you the care and compensation you deserve.

Decoding Hazmat Placards: A Visual Guide to Truck Safety

All hazmat placards have six main components, which we will discuss in further detail below:

• Hazard class number
• UN/NA number
• Compatibility group letters
• Colors
• Text
• Graphics

The Nine Hazard Classes

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has nine established hazard classes of hazardous materials. […]

Man Dies in I-81 Crash in East Pennsboro Twp.

A 19-year-old died following a deadly crash on Interstate 81 in East Pennsboro Township on December 15. According to Pennsylvania State Police, the crash resulted from two vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed on I-81 near the Marysville/Enola and Wertzville Road exits.

Troopers say one of the cars had lost control and crossed all travel lanes into the left lane where another vehicle was traveling, also at a high rate of speed. The initial vehicle struck the second, causing that car to spin and roll over multiple times. The first vehicle then spun around and continued on an uncontrolled slide before hitting a tree in the median.

The driver was ejected from the vehicle, and the car caught fire. Witnesses attempted to pull the driver away from the burning vehicle. The driver was later pronounced dead at the scene.

High Speed Car Accidents Are a Serious Problem

High speed car accidents are a serious problem in Pennsylvania, […]

What Is the No Zone of a Truck?

In the age of Amazon Prime and endless online shopping, more trucks are on our nation’s roads than ever. With more large trucks on the road come more safety concerns, particularly for those in passenger vehicles. In recent years, fatality data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows concerning trends in truck-involved accidents, particularly in large truck “no-zone” areas—blind spots.

If you have been in an accident with a truck because you were in one of their blind spots, you still may be entitled to compensation. Contact Munley Law to speak with one of our attorneys today.

Understanding Truck No Zones: The Invisible Danger Zones

The “no zone” of a truck is the area directly around a semi-truck where there are blind spots, meaning the truck driver has no or limited visibility. If any passenger vehicle is in a truck’s no zones, […]

The At Fault Driver Wants to Pay Out of Pocket. Should I Accept?

Medical bills. Repair costs. A painful recovery from your injuries.

These are just some of the potential consequences of a motor vehicle crash. If you’ve been injured in such a wreck, particularly one another negligent motorist caused, compensation may be available for your losses. The most common ways to recover it are to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit.

However, sometimes, the at-fault driver will offer cash immediately or shortly after an accident. Understanding the pros and cons of accepting a cash offer can help you better determine whether doing so is the best option now. For more information, contact Munley Law today and discuss your car accident case with a free consultation.

Understanding Out-of-Pocket Settlement Offers

There is no law in most other states requiring motorists to settle car accidents via traditional processes, […]