Paullin Law Blog

Faulty inspection, maintenance, or repair can cause truck accidents

Monday, August 08, 2011
If you were injured in an accident caused by the improper inspection, maintenance or repair of a tractor trailer, the trucking company’s own records may provide the most important clues and evidence to support your claim. The attorneys at Paullin Law Firm know that obtaining these records is imperative, and will ensure that they acquire every piece of evidence that may help defend your claim.

•   Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, interstate motor carriers are required to “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all motor vehicles subject to [their] control,” and must maintain accurate records of all inspections, repairs and maintenance (FMCSR § 396.3). However, these records must be maintained for only 1 year, or less if the truck leaves the motor carrier’s control. Thereafter, they may be destroyed. The attorneys at Paullin Law Firm are familiar with these regulations and know how to secure crucial records before they are lost or destroyed.

•   Every motor carrier must prepare a daily written report identifying any defect or deficiency the driver has discovered that could affect the safety of the vehicle’s operation or result in its mechanical breakdown. The carrier must maintain the original inspection report and certification of repairs for only 3 months from the date the report was written. If a company is aware of a defect but makes a conscious decision not to repair it, regardless of the risk to the general public, their negligent action may result in an accident. If you were injured in a collision caused by a trucking company’s failure to correct a defect in one of its tractor trailers, our attorneys will obtain the carrier’s daily reports to determine if the trucking company was negligent.

•   Motor carriers are required to maintain a driver qualification file for every driver, including a driver’s application for employment, driving record, the medical examiner’s certificate of the physical qualification to drive a commercial motor vehicle and a list of violations of motor vehicle laws. The attorneys at the Paullin Law firm will review these documents to seek evidence the truck driver involved in your accident had prior traffic violation convictions for reckless driving or DUI.

The attorneys at Paullin Law Firm are knowledgeable about the regulations listed above as well as other federal regulations that govern the loading, maintenance, and operation of tractor trailers. Our attorneys review these and many other facts of your case to determine if a trucker’s failure to comply with the safety regulations contributed cause to your accident. Call (804) 423-7423 today to speak directly with one of our experienced attorneys.


The information and materials on this web site are intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Individuals should not act upon information provided on the site without seeking professional legal counsel, as situations and facts vary with each case. In addition, Paullin Law Firm does not endorse or sponsor any content accessed through links to other web sites. All statements and information are current as of the posted date.

Driver fatigue poses serious threat

Friday, July 08, 2011
A contributing factor in as many as 30-40% of all heavy truck crashes, driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of truck accidents (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 1994).

This comes as little surprise, since drivers are permitted by law to operate their vehicles for up to 11 hours per day. In a 2000 study, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that the risk of a crash effectively doubles from a driver’s eighth to tenth hour on the road. That risk doubles again from the tenth to the eleventh hour of driving.

These chilling statistics underline the significant threat posed by truck driver fatigue. At the hands of a driver with inadequate rest, a 40-ton vehicle can be deadly. You should not be held liable for damage caused in an accident with a fatigued driver.

The attorneys at Paullin Law Firm know that truck accident victims are often dealing with the stress of medical and auto repair bills, lost income and injuries. We offer compassionate, personal, practical and aggressive representation to ensure that your rights are protected. An accident with a tractor trailer is scary, but with Paullin Law Firm on your side, the aftermath doesn’t have to be.


The information and materials on this web site are intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Individuals should not act upon information provided on the site without seeking professional legal counsel, as situations and facts vary with each case. In addition, Paullin Law Firm does not endorse or sponsor any content accessed through links to other web sites. All statements and information are current as of the posted date.

Drunk drivers: even more deadly behind the wheel of a truck

Friday, June 24, 2011
You've seen the damage a drunk driver can do. Imagine what could happen if that driver were drunk behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound tractor trailer instead of a 3,000-pound sedan.

This enormous difference in weight is significant in relation to automotive accidents for a number of reasons. First, trucks' higher center of gravity and heavy cargo loads make them more likely than smaller vehicles to lose control while navigating traffic. Second, the additional weight means the force of a crash with a tractor trailer can be devastating.

The potential for injury and property damage in an accident with an intoxicated truck driver is extremely high. Our attorneys are experienced in handling personal injury cases and truck and other auto accidents. Contact the Paullin Law Firm today and receive the experience, compassion, and tenacity needed to fully recover compensation for your personal injury case. Call us at (804) 423-7423, or click here to contact us online.


The information and materials on this web site are intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Individuals should not act upon information provided on the site without seeking professional legal counsel, as situations and facts vary with each case. In addition, Paullin Law Firm does not endorse or sponsor any content accessed through links to other web sites. All statements and information are current as of the posted date.

Personal Injury Radio Ad

Monday, June 20, 2011
Paullin Law Firm has a new spot on the radio! Click here to listen to the ad, in which Attorney Mark Paullin talks about the importance of having a good personal injury attorney on your side.

Thanks to Cox Media Group in Richmond VA for making this ad possible.

Don't get penalized by someone else's negligence.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011
In an accident with a tractor-trailer, the injured plaintiff is required to prove that the defendant was negligent and that this negligence led to the accident which caused the plaintiff’s injuries. As with other types of accidents (including car accidents), determining who is at fault in a traffic accident is a matter of deciding who was negligent. In many cases instinct will tell you that a truck driver, driver of another vehicle or even a pedestrian acted carelessly, but cannot identify what rule or rules that person violated. You need a qualified attorney who knows how to protect you from the negligence of others.

Automobile accident claims are the most common type of personal injury case in the court system today. Some states have passed legislation (known as "no-fault laws") that does not require an individual to prove that the other driver is at fault before collecting damages from an insurance company. Under these laws, the individual may be compensated for medical bills, rehabilitation costs and lost wages without filing a lawsuit, but will not be compensated for pain and suffering, emotional distress or inconvenience. Fault will also still be considered in claims for physical damage to the vehicle.

Virginia is not one of the 12 states that currently have no-fault laws. This means that fault will be considered by an insurance company with regard to both vehicle damage and bodily injury claims. Determination of fault in a tractor-trailer accident is crucial when seeking compensation for your losses. If you have been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer or another vehicle, contact Mark at Paullin Law Firm and make sure you don't get penalized by someone else's negligence. Call Mark today at (804) 423-7423 for a consultation.


The information and materials on this web site are intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Individuals should not act upon information provided on the site without seeking professional legal counsel, as situations and facts vary with each case. In addition, Paullin Law Firm does not endorse or sponsor any content accessed through links to other web sites. All statements and information are current as of the posted date.

Our personal injury lawyers are here for you

Tuesday, February 01, 2011
In a personal injury case, an individual has been injured unintentionally due to another person's failure to use reasonable care. The injury can be physical or psychological, and sometimes results in additional loss or damages to the injured party, such as medical expenses, property damage, emotional distress, or the capacity to work.

When an individual suffers harm because of another's negligent or reckless action, a personal injury lawyer can help provide relief for the damages incurred by the offender. Whether the injury occurred on the road, in the workplace, while under medical care or elsewhere, an experienced attorney can use the facts to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your loss. 

The attorneys at Paullin Law Firm have the experience you need to get relief for your damages. If you have suffered a personal injury and are looking for representation in the Richmond, VA area, our personal injury lawyers are here for you. Let our expert attorneys examine your case and ensure that your losses are accounted for. Contact us at (804) 423-7423.


The information and materials on this web site are intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Individuals should not act upon information provided on the site without seeking professional legal counsel, as situations and facts vary with each case. In addition, Paullin Law Firm does not endorse or sponsor any content accessed through links to other web sites. All statements and information are current as of the posted date.

Tractor Trailer Personal Injury Cases

Monday, June 28, 2010
If you have been injured by a tractor trailer or truck, you have rights that need to be protected. Mark S. Paullin is an attorney who has represented numerous tractor trailer companies and insurance companies and he can help you WIN YOUR CASE. Contact Mark S. Paullin for a consultation of your tractor trailer accident case.


The information and materials on this web site are intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Individuals should not act upon information provided on the site without seeking professional legal counsel, as situations and facts vary with each case. In addition, Paullin Law Firm does not endorse or sponsor any content accessed through links to other web sites. All statements and information are current as of the posted date.