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Displaying 19 Articles

Forklift Falls from Loading Docks

By Jeffrey A. Boesger
Expert Article

A forklift falling from a loading dock can cause significant injuries or death. Two of the most common causes of these incidents that we see in our forensic casework involve either an unsecured…

Injuries & Fatalities Involving Non-CDL Commercial Drivers

By Timothy M. Bussard, CDS, ASC, TSSP, WSO-CSSD, AUV
Expert Article

Many companies provide their employees with vehicles or rely on workers to utilize personal vehicles to perform their jobs. Common examples include plumbers and electricians, local transportation and…

Dock Leveler Operation

By Jeffrey A. Boesger
Expert Article

Dock levelers are devices used to bridge the gap between a loading dock and the bed of a truck/trailer during loading and unloading. Because the working height of trailers and loading docks can vary,…

Heavy Truck Tire Failures

By Richard Sherman & Mark Respass
Expert Article

Among the various types of mechanical failures that a commercial truck may experience, brake loss and tire failure are the two that are most likely to cause a crash. This article discusses the…

Heavy Truck Air Brake System Failures

By Steven K. Malek & Jeffrey A. Boesger
Expert Overview

Brake systems on commercial trucks function differently than conventional passenger car brakes and have different requirements for inspection and maintenance. Here we review the basics of heavy truck…

School Bus Operations

By Jeffrey A. Boesger
Expert Article

School bus drivers have specific responsibilities for protecting the safety of students and the public. In this article, Jeffrey Boesger discusses the standard of care for school bus operators as it…

Falling Cargo: Injuries When Opening Trailer Doors

By Mark Respass
Expert Article

Cargo that shifts during transit presents a potentially serious struck-by hazard when the trailer doors are opened. The danger of falling freight is well recognized in the commercial trucking industry…

Delivery Driver Incident Investigations

By Michael O’Dell, CDS, AUV
Expert Article

A large segment of the truck driving population is composed of drivers who work locally and are home most nights. In this article, Commercial Trucking Expert Michael O’Dell explores the unique…

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR)

By Brooks Rugemer
Expert Overview

The trucking industry often uses the vernacular “DOT Regulations,” when in fact they are referring to the FMCSA regulations. The 39 sections of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations…

Truck U-Turn Accident Investigations

By Timothy M. Bussard, CDS, ASC, TSSP, WSO-CSSD, AUV
Expert Article

Illegal maneuvers such as U-turns are among the top 10 causes of crashes involving trucks and cars each year. Trucking industry standards state that it’s almost never acceptable for a truck or…

Crashes Involving Trucks Parked on the Shoulder

By Brooks Rugemer
Expert Article

Parking or stopping a tractor trailer on the shoulder of a roadway creates a hazard for the motoring public, and is generally prohibited by trucking company safety policies. In this article, trucking…

Injuries & Fatalities Involving Flatbed Trailers

By Brooks Rugemer
Expert Article

The flatbed segment of the trucking industry has a unique set of challenges and hazards that, if not properly managed, can lead to worker injuries or deaths. In this article, commercial trucking…

Charter Bus Safety - Expert Interviewed Following Crash Incident

By Brooks Rugemer
Expert Article

Commercial transportation expert, Brooks Rugemer was interviewed on NPR’s Houston Matters to discuss the fatal bus crash involving Houston high school students. Brooks discusses the early stages…

Heavy Truck Event Data Recorders

By Marcus A. Mazza, P.E.
Expert Article

Many of the systems and components that record incident and crash data on heavy trucks are different than those found on conventional passenger vehicles. In this article, vehicle engineer Marcus…

Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue in Commercial Trucking

By Brooks Rugemer
Expert Article

Studies suggest that fatigue and/or sleep deprivation may be a contributing factor in at least 30 to 40 percent of all heavy truck crashes. This article explores the effects of sleep deprivation and…

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