On January 25, 2006, a Florida truck driver fell asleep behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer truck and collided with a car filled with children waiting for the school bus. Seven children were killed in the car wreck.

On June 12, 2008, he driver of the tractor-trailer was sentenced to seven years in prison. He faced seven counts of vehicular homicide, among other related charges. He pleaded no contest.

The driver did not have alcohol or drugs in his system. He did exceed the federal standards for tractor-trailer drivers by being behind the wheel for over 34 hours without sleeping.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, tired and inattentive drivers may be at fault for about 75 percent of car wrecks. In 2006, about 5,000 people were killed in truck accidents and 106,000 people were injured.

Car wreck attorneys are working to prevent serious injuries and fatalities that result from the negligence of drivers.

With the busy travel and vacation season upon us, remember to buckle up, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t drink and drive.  If you or a loved one have the misfortune of being involved in a wreck, call the attorneys at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP at 1-800-460-0606 to discuss your legal rights.

When searching for vehicle recalls, the phrase “technical service bulletin” often shows up. While a common assumption is that these technical service bulletins, or TSBs, and recalls are the same, they are not. There are two types of recalls: a mandatory recall, issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and a voluntary recall, issued by the manufacturer. A mandatory recall is instated when the NHTSA determines there is a safety issue, but a voluntary recall fixes a default not necessarily related to safety. Both recalls, however, include repairs that are paid for by the manufacturer.

A TSB is not mandatory because it is only an advisory that is issued by the manufacturer. This advisory can address new and/or updated parts of the vehicle, service manual updates/revisions, and diagnostic procedure changes. Only if your vehicle is in warranty are TSBs paid for by the manufacturer. If the warranty has expired, the customer is accountable for the cost of the repairs.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a dangerous vehicle or a wreck, contact the attorneys at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP today, at 1-800-460-0606.