Recent Articles

The American Trucking Associations Issue A Response to the New Hours of Service Rule

info@fed-soc.org
December 27, 2011 15:17

The American Trucking Associations contend that the new final rule governing hours-of-service will do nothing to improve highway safety, and will likely increase the risk of truck-involved crashes.   The "announcement of a new rule on the hours-of-service is completely...

U.S. DOT Announces New Hours of Service Rule

info@fed-soc.org
December 27, 2011 15:15

U.S. DOT's Press Release  WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a final rule that employs the latest research in driver fatigue to make sure truck drivers can get the rest they need to operate safely when on the road.  The new rule by the U.S. Department of...

Happy Holidays from Southeastern Trucking & Transportation

info@fed-soc.org
December 20, 2011 14:08

Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.

US DOT Bans Use of Hand-Held Cell Phones for CMV Drivers

info@fed-soc.org
December 08, 2011 16:49

The FMCSA and the PHMSA issued a final rule restricting the use of hand-held mobile telephones by interstate commercial motor vehicle drives (CMV) and intrastate hazmat drivers.  The rule does not prohibit the use of hands-free devices.  The final rule will take effect on January 2nd,...

Charleston Congressman discusses proposed federal truck regulations

info@fed-soc.org
November 14, 2011 14:29

U.S. Rep. Tim Scott rallied against new federal trucking regulations, such as a new U.S. Department of Transportation rule that could reduce truckers' allowable daily driving hours from 11 to 10, recently in Charleston.  He said the rule proposed in December is unnecessary given the industry's...

Non-Lawyers cannot Answer garnishments for Corporations in Georgia Courts

info@fed-soc.org
September 19, 2011 21:15

The Georgia Supreme Court recently ruled that corporations cannot utilize Non-Lawyers to answer or respond to garnishment actions. In UPL (Unauthorized Practice of Law) Advisory Opinion # 2010-1 the Supreme Court of Georgia held that, since businesses are not individual persons,...

Beware the violation of a Rule of the Road and Punitive Damages

info@fed-soc.org
September 01, 2011 15:22

In South Carolina, the courts have held that the violation of a statute (Rule of the Road) is sufficient evidence of willfulness, recklessness or wantonness to require the judge to submit the issue of punitive damages to a jury.  In Austin v. Specialty Transportation Services, 258 S.C. 298...

South Carolina Enacts Punitive Damages Caps

info@fed-soc.org
August 17, 2011 18:13

Effective January 1, 2012, South Carolina will limit punitive damage awards in most cases. Under Section 15-32-510 et. seq., punitive damage must be specifically prayed for in a complaint and will result in bi-furcated trials. Additionally, damages will be limited to the greater of 3 times...

Will Bus Driver's On Duty Hours Be Reduced to Match Truck Drivers?

info@fed-soc.org
June 15, 2011 16:55

Recent deadly crashes involving motor coaches, large buses that travel between cities, have heightened concern about driver fatigue.Federal regulations allow bus drivers up to 10 hours behind the wheel followed by a minimum of eight hours rest. That adds up to 18 hours, making it legal for a driver...

Beware Release Language

info@fed-soc.org
May 27, 2011 11:03

In Penn v. Muktar A11A0095 decided May 18, 2011, the Georgia Court of Appeals ruled that a settlement did not occur where the insurer provided a settlement check for its policy limits and a release for all claims against its insured Defendant, rather than just the personal injury claims under...