Truck Accident Law
According to the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA), the term "truck accident law" deals with "with the procedural, substantive and practical issues unique to collision cases involving commercial tractor-trailers, buses, and other commercial motor vehicles and all of the people and entities in the transportation cycle."
Some personal injury attorneys focus on the specialty practice area of truck accident law.
In addition to understanding the usual rules of civil procedure, core substantive law, and litigation skills necessary to specialists in civil trial work, attorneys who focus on "truck accident law" understand the unique legal, regulatory and industry standards that apply to accidents involving commercial motor vehicles and other large trucks.
Truck accident attorneys should also understand the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (Subchapter B, Chapter III, Subtitle B of the Code of Federal Regulations TITLE 49-Transportation), as well as the standard training manuals for CDL holders.
The theories of liability for truck accident cases include:
- Broker and shipper liability;
- Direct negligence and agency;
- Distracted driving;
- Fatigue management;
- Graves amendment;
- Intermodal carrier liability;
- Lease and independent contract issues;
- Loading and unloading negligence;
- Negligent maintenance;
- Negligent hiring, supervision, retention, and training;
- Recognizing product liability issues;
- Recognizing construction zone claims;
- Statutory liability;
- Sudden emergency;
- Vicarious fault admission; and
- Visibility and conspicuity.
Finding an Attorney for a Truck Accident in the U.S.
If you need an attorney for a truck accident case, consider hiring an attorney who has earned the distinction of being board certified in truck accident law. Although personal injury attorneys often pay for advertising for these types of cases, board-certified attorneys in truck accident law have demonstrated their devotion to this unique practice area.
At Lawyer Legion, our online attorney directory recognized attorney who have earned board certification in the specialty practice areas of truck accident law. Finding the right attorney for your case is a difficult task, but board certification programs for personal injury, civil trial law, and truck accident law make it easier to find a qualified attorney.
Attorneys Board Certified by ATAA in Truck Accident Law
To help the public identify lawyers who specialize in this unique practice area, on August 7, 2018, the American Bar Association accredited the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys to provide board certification in the specialty practice area of Truck Accident Law to plaintiff lawyers only.
The ATAA works in partnership with the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) to provide consumers with objectively verifiable credentials that can be used to find a qualified truck accident lawyer. Board certification programs for personal injury and civil trial law generally recognize the benefits of specialization for these unique practice areas.
To become board certified in Truck Accident Law, the attorney must demonstrate a substantial percentage of their practice to trucking litigation, show hands-on experience in multiple truck accident cases, and pass a comprehensive written exam.
This article was last updated on Thursday, February 6, 2020.
