Posts by Michael Phelan

Drowsy truck driving presents significant dangers to other vehicles sharing the road. The operation of large commercial trucks requires utmost attention, focus, and alertness to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. However, when truck drivers are fatigued and experience drowsiness, the risk of accidents dramatically increases. Drowsiness can impair cognitive abilities, slow reaction…

Truck accidents can be challenging and overwhelming. The chances are good that you or someone you love has sustained serious injuries, and you may not know what to do next. If you have been involved in a truck accident, there are several important steps you should take to protect your well-being and ensure the best…

Large trucks are generally more likely to roll over than passenger cars because they are more susceptible to external factors like wind, centrifugal forces, road hazards, and crashes with other vehicles. A truck rollover accident occurs when a truck flips over and lands on its roof or side. Many drivers and passengers die in truck…

Trucking industry insiders are charging that some ELD vendors are manipulating weaknesses in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s technical requirements to allow trucking companies and drivers to use “ghost co-drivers” to avoid hours-of-service (HOS) rules. Recently, a driver utilizing ELD Rider software recorded a ghost co-driver being added to his device 15-20 minutes after…

An underride accident is a collision that happens when a smaller car hits a large truck and slides underneath the trailer. When a car slides underneath a truck, the top of the vehicle is typically sheared off, decapitating or crushing the passengers inside, making underride accidents some of the deadliest types of crashes, even at relatively…

There is a crash risk associated with various drugs and substances, including alcohol, and their use continues to be prevalent among some drivers. The National Transportation Safety Board’s Safety Research Report released in December 2022 identified the following safety issues related to alcohol and drug use among drivers: Accepted countermeasures for driving while impaired by…

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can affect individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident. According to the American Psychological Association, PTSD can develop after exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or violence. Truck accidents can certainly fit this description,…

Truck accidents can be devastating, and in Virginia, they occur more frequently than one might think. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) releases annual reports outlining the statistics of truck accidents in the state. These reports provide valuable insights into the frequency and causes of these accidents, the severity of the resulting injuries, and…

Most people have seen a tractor-trailer spread across several lanes of traffic due to a jackknife. There are multiple dangers when this type of accident happens. Traffic in each direction can be backed up for hours while the police and others help anyone who is injured or killed at the site. The driver can be…