Truck Accident Terms and Definitions

AVL (Automated Vehicle Location) Class of technologies designed to locate vehicles for fleet management purposes and for stolen vehicle recovery PTO (Power Takeoff) Device used to transmit engine power to auxiliary equipment. GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) Total weight of a vehicle and everything aboard, including its load. Hazmat Hazardous materials, as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Transport of hazardous materials is strictly regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. TOFC (Trailer On Flatcar) Method of moving cargo which involves transporting semitrailers on railroad flat cars. Yard Jockey Person who operates a yard tractor. Dead-Heading Operating a truck without cargo. Container (Shipping Container) Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International shipping containers are 20 or 40 feet long, conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are designed to fit in ships' holds. Tandem Axle (Tandems) Pair of axles and associated suspension usually located close together. Semitrailer trailer supported at the rear by its own wheels and at the front by a fifth wheel mounted to a tractor or dolly.

Contact our lawyer now If you have experienced personal injuries or substantial income loss as a result of a truck accident in West Virginia. Our lawyers are here to give you a free case review and to fight for you in court.

	Did You Know?
	Trucking Carriers And Drivers Are Required To Comply With The New Hours-Of-Service Rules. Carriers and drivers were required to operate under the former rules through January 3, 2004. That allowed adequate time for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), regulated industry, and the enforcement community to be trained and make any systems changes required by the new rules. Compliance with the new rules was required starting January 4, 2004.