What Is the Department of Transportation (DOT)?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is the federal agency responsible for planning and coordinating federal transportation projects and setting safety regulations for all modes of transportation in the United States.
According to the official description, DOT’s mission is to “Ensure our Nation has the safest, most efficient, and modern transportation system in the world, which improves the quality of life for all American people and communities, from rural to urban, and increases the productivity and competitiveness of American workers and businesses.” The DOT plays a crucial role in setting and enforcing regulations that affect transportation safety, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability.
DOT’s main activities include funding infrastructure projects, conducting research to improve transportation systems, and implementing policies to enhance safety and accessibility. It also addresses issues such as traffic management, vehicle safety standards, and the environmental impact of transportation. Understanding the Department of Transportation is critical to comprehending how federal policy influences the everyday movement of people and goods, shaping economic development and public safety nationwide.
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Truck Drivers Speeding
How Dangerous is a Speeding Truck Driver?
Accidents involving trucks and tractor-trailers can be pretty severe. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there are almost 7,000 truck and tractor-trailer crashes in the state every year. Between 100 and 200 of these accidents result in fatalities annually.
The severity of these accidents is not surprising because commercial large vehicles are heavier than passenger vehicles. When the weight of the truck is combined with high speed, the outcome can be quite tragic.
This is why people who are involved in accidents with large commercial vehicles tend to suffer significant injuries. The authorities know this too. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has capped the upper-speed limit for all vehicles at 70 miles per hour for good reason. Even then, the maximum speed limit in Pennsylvania can be adjusted to account for road and weather conditions. Our state can review the speed limits on its roads during dangerous weather conditions. […]
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What to Do When Hazardous Materials Spill During a Truck Crash
What to do if you have been in a truck crash with chemical spills or hazardous materials
Tanker trucks transport the majority of U.S. shipments: they haul gasoline, diesel, specialty chemicals, food grade and dry bulk on a daily basis. With the increasing transportation of goods, the number of tanker truck accidents on our roads has also been on the rise. Tankers frequently haul hazardous and highly flammable materials, and a crash with these large, precarious vehicles could mean enduring serious burns, smoke inhalation injuries, or even death. Road surfaces can become extremely unsafe, air quality can be compromised, and fires and explosions can result from sudden hazardous waste disturbances.
If you or a loved one have been in a truck crash involving a hazardous materials spill, there may be multiple responsible parties, and the crash may require in-depth investigations. You will need a truck accident lawyer with a reputation, […]
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What Are the Emergency Procedures a Truck Driver Must Take After a Truck Accident?
Truck drivers must comply with all regulated requirements for emergency efforts after a truck accident
Certain emergency procedures must be put into practice after a truck accident, and these efforts are mandatory for truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) mandates rules and regulations to ensure safe roads, and trucker drivers have a definitive list of timely measures and protocols that must be taken when driving, and in the event of a truck accident.
If you or your loved one have been involved in a truck accident, dealing with the details and aftermath can be frustrating, stressful, and devastating: reach out to an experienced truck accident lawyer with a successful track record to get the support and guidance to ensure that no stone is left unturned. An experienced truck accident attorney at Munley Law has the resources and expertise to deal with commercial company’s representation and to fight for the compensation that you deserve. […]
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What Are the Causes of Jackknife Truck Accidents?
Can You Avoid a Jackknife Truck Accident?
A jackknife accident is exclusive to involving semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, and can range from creating minor or major damages; often, the outcome of these accidents is significant and devastating. The causes for these types of accidents vary, but the consistent factor is that an environmental or mechanical fault instigates the truck to jackknife at the sudden onset. Commercial trucks can weigh more than 80,000 pounds and are 25 times the size of an average passenger vehicle. Needless to say, the impact and force of such an accident can bring about serious injuries, especially to passenger car victims.
If you or your loved one have been involved in a jackknife truck wreck, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer to seek compensation from the truck driver, trucking company, or others that may be potentially negligent in the truck accident. […]
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What Happens When a Trucking Company Violates FMCSA Rules?
What is the FMCSA?
You probably have never heard about the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, known as the FMCSA. The FMCSA is a federal agency responsible for overseeing commercial motor vehicles, generally large trucks and buses, in the United States. It is charged with reducing crashes, as well as injuries and fatalities, caused by accidents involving commercial vehicles.
Even with an agency responsible for overseeing the industry, there are, of course, accidents involving commercial trucks and buses. And some of those accidents are caused by those who fail to–or choose not to–follow FMCSA regulations. Below, our truck accident lawyers explain briefly what happens when a trucking company violates federal motor carrier safety rules.
What are FMCSA Rules? Where Do they Come From?
The FMCSA is a federal agency housed within the Department of Transportation. […]
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