The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) undertook an extensive study in 2007 that showed approximately 5,000 people die each year in the U.S. due to an accident with a truck, and another 150,000 people are injured. The study also reported that excessive speed was a contributing factor in 18% of the crashes and 27% were due to a lack of driver training or driver fatigue. Other factors that contribute to truck driving accidents include improper truck maintenance, distracted driving, equipment failure, overloading, wide angle turns, lane drift, and improperly pulling over on the shoulder.
When a car and an 18-wheeler collide, it often results in serious injury and even fatalities, especially to the passengers of the car who typically receive the worst of the injuries. Many of these accidents cause permanently disabling injuries that change people’s lives forever. This is why you need to obtain the legal services of a personal injury attorney who knows how to recover the full scope of current and future losses associated with your injuries. At Schiff & Associates we have experience proving the exact causes of tractor-trailer and other truck accidents. Along with our team of experts including a former highway patrol officer, we have an established relationship with seasoned truck accident investigators that work with us to help determining the cause of an accident. In addition we are well versed in both Ohio and federal laws regarding the trucking industry and use that information in our investigation to find evidence that proves violation of safety regulations. As we represent our clients on a contingency basis, there will be no attorney costs or fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. Visit our website to learn more. The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today to learn how Columbus, Ohio’s leading personal injury attorney can help.
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Schiff & Associates has a long history of successfully litigating accidents involving semi-trucks, delivery trucks, moving vans, and construction vehicles. Furthermore, we know that tractor-trailer accidents can result in serious personal injuries and fatalities and require the expertise of attorneys who have experience with these types of accidents.
So what are some of the factors that contribute to tractor-trailer accidents and how is negligence determined in the event of one of these devastating crashes? Based on our own experience and the Department of Transportation statistics, an accident can be the result of a poorly maintained truck or driver error as well as the size of the load or how the cargo was secured. In addition lack of driver training, the use of drugs or alcohol, or even highway defects can cause serious truck accidents. As you can see proving the exact cause of your accident can be difficult, which is why it is important to have a personal injury attorney with a background in handling truck accidents on your side. Not only do we have a team of experts including a former highway patrol officer working to determine who or what was at fault but we have a relationship with professional accident Re-constructionists who provide their expertise to help figure out what happened. In addition we take advantage of all legal channels available in order to obtain documents pertaining to the accident such as the driver’s logbook, the truck’s black box, and the truck’s satellite system if there is one. Using all of this information, we then determine whether the tractor-trailer accident was the fault of the truck driver, the tractor owner, or the trailer owner. We even investigate whether the shop that serviced the vehicle is to blame or the warehouse that loaded the goods. Once we have put together a case, we will fight for a fair settlement for you. Please contact Scott W. Schiff & Associates today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Remember you will not pay any attorney fees or costs unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer. The good news is that according to statistics from the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), fatal crashes involving large trucks decreased by 5 percent in 2013. The bad news is that there were still 3,744 deaths that occurred as a result of such accidents during that year in the U.S. In addition there was a 21 percent increase in injury crashes with large trucks in 2013 totaling 88,000 incidents.
To try and lessen these often horrific accidents, the FMCSA, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, imposes regulations on large trucks and busses that are aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities. Regulations include requiring all drivers to maintain a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) and regulating the hours drivers can be behind the wheel. They also impose rules for transporting hazardous material, weight limits on loads, and regulation on how cargo is loaded. Furthermore, FMCSA has strict regulations regarding maintenance and inspection standards for vehicles. If you or your family has been injured or killed in an accident that involved a large truck, the attorneys at Schiff & Associates are not only well-versed in FMCSA’s regulations but are experienced in handling these types of cases. Our team knows how to do a thorough investigation of the accident and understands how to determine if there were any violations of the rules. If we establish negligence, we then use this information to help us secure a fair settlement for our clients. By knowing the law, thoroughly preparing a case, and having extensive experience dealing with insurance companies, Schiff & Associates has become a respected name with a winning tradition. We encourage you to visit our website to learn more about our team and our legal services as well as to set up a free consultation to meet with an attorney who has a background in truck accident cases. The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today to learn how Columbus, Ohio’s leading personal injury attorneys can help. Source: fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2014 If you have had an accident in which the driver of a commercial vehicle was at fault, you may find it is difficult to prove liability on your own without the help of an experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer. Commercial vehicles include delivery vans, semi-trucks, utility vans, garbage trucks, commercial and chartered buses, contractor-owned pickups, taxis, limousines, and others. Most of these types of commercial carriers are insured through big insurance companies who are extremely challenging to go up against.
Also you need to remember there may be a number of reasons for the accident such as a sleepy driver, a driver who had driven over the legal limit, or one with a poor driving record. Furthermore, the accident may have been caused by mechanical failure or a driver rushing to make a delivery, picking up their next customer, or other deadlines that can lead to negligence. However all of these things can be hard to prove on your own. Whatever the reason, if a driver of a commercial vehicle hit you and caused you or a family member injuries or even death, you need the legal services of a personal injury attorney who can sort it all out and get you the help you need. With decades of experience behind us and a winning record, the attorneys at Schiff & Associates know how to go head to head with the large insurance companies that typically represent commercial carriers. Our team conducts a thorough investigation and carefully sifts through the evidence to prove who is at fault. We can help you recover the costs from the accident including on-going medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other life-changing circumstances. After collecting all of the facts, we skillfully negotiate and litigate on your behalf. Please see our website for contact information, and remember your initial consultation is free. The experienced attorneys at Schiff & Associates have offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer. Getting into an accident with a large truck can have devastating consequences for all parties involved, and unfortunately all too often the accident may be caused by driver fatigue. In fact the U.S. Department of Transportation reports, “Nearly 4,000 people die in large truck crashes each year and driver fatigue is a leading factor. Tragically, the truck drivers themselves sometimes die driving tired.”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a new rule in December of 2011 that was designed to stop fatigued driving. It basically made two important updates to the “hours of service” rules for truck drivers. First it required drivers to take a 30-minute break within the first 8 hours of drive time. The other change involved the use of the 34-hour rest period, known as the “restart.” Overall the new rule reduced the average maximum week a driver could work from 82 hours to 70 hours. One of the biggest problems with fatigue is that it sneaks up on drivers, and new research indicates a strong correlation between long work hours and insufficient recovery time leading to reduction in sleep and chronic fatigue. Fatigued drivers not only have slower reaction times but a diminished capacity to assess situations. Sometimes truck drivers actually fall asleep while driving, and others use stimulants to stay awake, which can further impair their ability to drive and lead to accidents that cause severe injuries and even fatalities. At Schiff & Associates we are experienced in proving driver fatigue as the cause of tractor-trailer and other truck accidents. Our investigation is thorough and we know how to secure the evidence that can prove violations of safety regulations. We have a long history of successfully winning truck driver liability claims and claims against trucking companies and we will work to get you the compensation you deserve. Visit our website to learn more. The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer. Source: transportation.gov/fastlane/why-we-care-about-truck-driver-fatigue The Balance, an about.com brand website, shares some tips on how to avoid hiring a bad attorney. For the countless number of talented and highly competent attorneys practicing law today, there are some lawyers, who for a variety of reasons will not provide you with the best representation.
Some of the qualities that separate ineffective attorneys from competent, professional ones are poor work habits. The Balance’s advice is to be aware of things like phone calls and emails not being returned in a timely manner. Another warning sign is missing deadlines, especially for important court filings. Also avoid hiring an attorney who is hard to work with or one who too quickly promises a victory. Your attorney’s offices also say a lot about them. Do they appear to be organized and efficiently run as well as adequately staffed? In addition your bill should clearly explain what tasks were performed, by whom and when. If you are being billed for a phone call, you are entitled to know who made the call, who they talked to, and what was the nature and duration of the call. Also be on the lookout for hidden expenses that were not included in your initial agreement. At Schiff & Associates you can rest easy on all of the above concerns. As leading personal injury attorneys, we have over 30 years of experience successfully helping clients in the Columbus, Ohio area. Take a look at our website where you will find testimonials from past clients and extensive bios of our attorneys. We also list a small sampling of some of our actual case results. Finally at Schiff & Associates, your first consultation and case evaluation is free. Since we work on a contingency basis, you will not pay any legal fees or attorney costs unless we recover compensation. The experienced team of Schiff & Associates has offered the area trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death since 1982. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today to learn how Columbus, Ohio’s leading slip and fall attorney can help. Source: thebalance.com/how-to-avoid-a-bad-lawyer-2164684 Ever since he became an attorney in 1982, Scott Schiff has made it a priority to champion society’s underdogs, which explains why he specializes in civil litigation with an emphasis on catastrophic injury and wrongful death. With degrees from Ohio State University and Capital University Law School, Scott started the law firm of Schiff & Associates Co. LPA.
To sum up his commitment to the legal profession, Scott says, “Each and every case is extremely important to me.” He adds that “no single case is going to change my life financially, but each and every individual case will change the life of my client, and that keeps me motivated.” Scott reiterates that by taking our responsibilities to our clients extremely seriously, along with our quality work, respect, and high ethical standards have made us one of the leading Personal Injury law firms in Ohio. Some of the highlights of Schiff & Associates’ long and illustrious career include being recognized by Time Magazine in 2013 as one of the nation’s top personal injury firms. Scott himself was featured in 2014 in the Columbus Business First magazine in an article called “People to Know”. Scott also has a long history of charitable giving both with his time and money and has served on the board of many non-profit and charitable organizations. He says his contributions reflect the values he was taught as a child, and focuses on “helping those who work hard but can’t seem to get ahead because of disabilities or lack of opportunities.” In addition he considers giving to those less fortunate as paramount to the survival of his synagogue, and to religious freedoms everywhere. Scott notes that, “First Amendment freedoms are what set Americans apart from the rest of the world.” Along with his commitment to the firm and his charity work, Scott also is an: Appointed Special Council to the Ohio Attorney General; American Bar Association Member; Columbus Bar Association (Appointed Ethics Committee) Sustaining Member; American Trial Lawyers Association Member; Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association Member; and Who’s Who of Attorneys in America Member. Please see our website to learn more about Scott and the rest of our firm. Since 1982, Schiff & Associates’ experienced attorneys have provided trusted legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death. We have a history of getting clients the results they deserve and recognize that financial recovery from an accident is just as important as physical recovery. Call today for information regarding legal services from Columbus, Ohio’s top personal injury lawyer. |
AuthorSince 1982, the attorneys of Schiff & Associates have provided our clients with quality legal representation in cases of personal injury and wrongful death. Our clients benefit from the combined skills of a powerful legal team. Archives
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