In 2018, the American Bar Association approved board certification for truck accident lawyers through the NBTA.
Victims of truck accidents naturally want to know why a truck accident claim is significantly different than a car accident. More importantly, why a car accident lawyer might not be prepared for a truck accident case. Board certification was deemed by the ABA to be merited in this field due to the complexity of truck accident law.
The NBTA summarizes the field as follows:
“Truck Accident Law deals 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.
The trucking industry is comprised of 3.5 million professional drivers. The size and weight of commercial motor vehicles and trucks in an accident cause significant damage to drivers, passengers and property. The US Department of Transportation reports that there are around 500,000 trucking accidents each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration approximately 4,000 people die and 104,000 are injured annually. One out of every eight traffic fatalities involve a truck collision. Trucking is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a division of the US Department of Transportation. Over 1500 attorneys practice Truck Accident Law. An additional 1000 lawyers participate in a limited capacity.”
George Patterson is Board Certified by the NBTA as a Civil, Civil Pretrial and Truck Accident lawyer. The truck accident board certification required proof of substantial legal experience handling commercial truck cases from in-take all the way through trial. He was further required to provide references from attorneys that have litigated truck accident cases against Mr. Patterson. In addition, references from judges that handled truck accident trials conducted by Mr. Patterson were needed. A commitment to education on complex trucking legal issues had to be demonstrated. The NBTA required proof of extensive continuing legal education in the field of commercial truck accidents. Finally, Mr. Patterson had to pass a rigorous Board exam that demonstrated his knowledge of the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Act as well as truck accident law, case law and tactics.
Mr. Patterson is also an Advocate member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. Advocate members were required to pass an exam on truck accident law. If you want to be certain that you are hiring a lawyer with the requisite skill, experience and knowledge to handle a commercial truck accident case, just look for the NBTA Truck Accident Board Certification.
Call 301-888-4878 to speak with a Board Certified Truck Accident Attorney to discuss your truck accident case.