The COVID-19 pandemic has been rapidly expanding across Texas and its neighboring states in recent weeks. The pandemic doesn't just affect the health and daily lives of Texas residents, but it has a major impact on commerce. More people are shying away from traditional retail shopping and ordering items on Amazon and other online retail...
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Increase seen in 2019 truck fatality statistics
Preliminary 2019 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows a small increase in the number of fatalities from truck crashes. How many people are killed in truck accidents? In 2018, 4,951 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks. What’s considered a large truck? In a press release, the NHTSA notes “FARS...
Read MoreWill traffic collisions increase as Texas loosens COVID-19 restrictions?
The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit Texas in March of 2020. As a result, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statewide stay-at-home order to help prevent the spread of the virus. As a result, several businesses were forced to close their doors and residents were urged to only travel for essential purposes. Nearly...
Read MoreTop safety tips for truck drivers and fleet owners
Trucking companies have a duty to keep our economy moving while ensuring the safety of those who share the road with large commercial trucks. The demand for essential goods and services due to COVID-19 recently led to a temporary suspension of the federal hours-of-service laws for some truck drivers. As a result, we could see...
Read MoreFederal HOS regulations lifted for the first time in history due to COVID-19
It's not uncommon for federal, state, or local governments to lift some safety regulations during a state of emergency. For the first time in history, the federal hours-of-service (HOS) laws for truck drivers (enacted in 1938) have been temporarily suspended due to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a statement issued by the Federal Motor...
Read MoreHow exactly are truck crashes more complex than car accidents?
The aftermath of a two-car crash can be complex and frustrating enough for most people. The financial uncertainty of costly medical bills and days away from work can be overwhelming. If you think that a two-car crash is complicated, a truck crash can be far worse. Large commercial trucks often wreak havoc on Texas roadways,...
Read MoreThe Herrera Law Firm is still serving clients amid the coronavirus pandemic
The Herrera Law Firm’s utmost priority is the health and safety of our clients, legal team and the community-at-large. We have carefully monitored the concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and have taken the necessary precautions within the office to maintain a healthy and safe environment. The Herrera Law Firm will continue to operate, but is...
Read MoreFederal government conducting first large commercial truck accident study in over 15 years
With fatalities increasing, the federal government is beginning its first large truck accident study in over 15 years. Jim Mullen, the acting administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), announced the study on January 14. The agency is collecting information, including public comments. The goal of the study is “to lead to significant...
Read MoreElectronic Logging Devices Now Officially Required For Fleets Using Automatic On-board Recording Devices
Prior to the federal rule mandating electronic logging devices (ELDs), some trucking fleets were equipped with automatic on-board recording devices (AOBRDs). According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), AOBRDs function similarly to ELDs in some aspects. Both devices record: Date and time Engine hours Miles driven Hours driven Locations On-duty and off-duty status...
Read MoreIs the Trucking Industry Behind the Curve on Safety Technology?
According to recent data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic fatalities involving large commercial trucks are continuing to rise. In 2018, approximately 4,678 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks – up 1 percent from 4,369 in 2107. What’s even more shocking, truck crash fatalities have increased for four consecutive...
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