The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation with appendixes are nearly 500 large pages with fine print. The industry’s most widely used commercial tractor-trailer driving manual is nearly 500 pages. Commercial Motor Carriers rely heavily on an industry produced Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act compliance manual that is well over 1,000 pages. These regulations and rules have one overriding purpose, your safety.
Every legal case starts with identifying the rules. Does your lawyer have these manuals? Has he read these manuals? The National Board of Trial Advocacy with the assistance of the American Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys recognized that a certification was needed for the public to know whether their lawyer knew these materials. They created a rigorous program to test lawyer’s knowledge in this field and criteria that demonstrated substantial experience and education in the field. Successfully completing the program that requires the passing of a board exam results in the Board Certification as a Truck Accident Attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. The American Bar Association has accredited this program. George Patterson is certified as a Truck Accident Attorney, Civil Attorney and a Civil Pretrial Attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act requires every state to have a program to issue commercial driver’s licenses. The material that the drivers must be proficient in is mandated by the FMSCA. Commercial Motor Carriers have similar requirements. Truck safety, standards and inspections are also governed by these materials.
The foundation of a personal injury case is negligence (violation of a rule or standard) that is a cause of an injury. A truck accident attorney needs to know the rules and standards to establish the case.