U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced that state and local law enforcement along with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted 2,782 surprise passenger carrier safety inspections, across the nation, over a nine-day period. Their efforts resulted in 289 unsafe drivers or buses being taken off our roadways.

Our Texas bus accident lawyers think its high time that bus companies be monitored more closely, knowing the consequences that can result from a Georgia bus accident or tractor-trailer accident caused by an unsafe coach or driver.

In its effort to strengthen passenger carrier safety, FMCSA conducted surprise inspections beginning March 28 through April 6, 2011. Out-of-service violation citations were issued to 156 drivers and 262 vehicles by the enforcement strike force.

During a 17-day time period from March 12 to March 28, roughly 3,000 passenger carrier safety inspections were done across the country, resulting in nearly 10 percent of those passenger carrier vehicles being taken off roadways with reported violations.

“Safety is our number one priority,” said Secretary LaHood. “We will continue to use every resource at our disposal to shut down unsafe passenger bus companies that place motorists at risk and remove drivers from our roads who put passengers in harm’s way.”

Along with the inspections 95 commercial passenger bus companies got a full safety compliance review. This is the process used for determining a passenger carrier’s safety rating.

“Working side-by-side with our state and local law enforcement partners, we can ensure that every passenger bus company and driver operates as safely as possible,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “These strike force activities are one of the many effective tools we use year-round to raise the safety bar for commercial buses and drivers on our nation’s roadways.”

According to FMCSA, safety inspections and compliance reviews have increased significantly on the nation’s roughly 3,700 registered motor coach companies. Although, the recent enforcement blitz comes in the wake of several deadly bus accidents, including one in New York City that claimed the lives of more than a dozen passengers.

Roadside motor coach safety inspections have increased from 12,991 in 2005 to 25,703 in 2010. Motor coach company compliance reviews have gone from 457 in 2005 to 1,042 in 2010.

The Obama Administration in 2009 developed a new Motorcoach Safety Action Plan. This plan includes proposed rules requiring that buses have seat belts and electronic on-board recorders (EOBR). These recorders are needed to replace paper records that drivers keep on themselves for their hours of driving. Strengthening driver heath requirements is also an issue that needs addressing.

Last year, regulations were put in place banning commercial drivers from texting while driving and banning hand-held cell phone use is being considered.

If you are involved in a Texas bus or truck accident, contact the Texas truck-bus accident lawyers at our Law Firm for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call or contact us through this website.

More than 6,000,000 accidents were reported last year. Over 3,150,000 people were injured in these accidents and approximately 40,000 people lost their lives. Most Americans do not have an adequate amount of health, auto, and disability insurance to provide for them if they are seriously injured in an auto accident.
Most don’t even have a life insurance policy that could pay for funeral expenses if the unthinkable happened. Considering the prevalence of auto accidents, it is important that automobile drivers educate themselves concerning auto accidents and the legal options that exist should an accident occur.

If I have an auto accident, what should I do at the accident scene?

1. Don’t go anywhere. Stay Put.
2. Send a witness to call the police. Do not “handle it yourselves”.
3. Render first aid to other victims if you are qualified to do so. Do not move any person unless not doing so directly endangers their life.
4. Do not move vehicles unless they are obstructing further traffic. If you have to move them, move them as little as possible. Warn approaching drivers.
5. If you are injured, stay in your vehicle.
6. Be very careful what you say. Do not falsely admit responsibility.
7. Seek medical treatment at the scene if you are hurt in any way even if it seems insignificant.
8. Gather and exchange information. Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all passengers, witnesses, and the driver. Get the license number and insurance company name and policy number from the driver and owner. Also, make notes concerning the time of day, weather and road conditions, lighting, location of vehicles, crossroads, stop signs, and traffic signals, and location and length of any skid marks.
9. If your car must be towed, get the name and license number of the driver, and the name, address, phone number, and registration number of the towing company. Also, find out how much the towing will cost.

What can I expect the police officer to do at the accident scene?

Depending upon the seriousness of the accident, either a police officer or the regional Crash Investigation Unit will investigate the accident. All parties will be interviewed and statements taken. The officer will give all parties involved an accident card that will detail how to contact him/her. The cars involved may be taken away for detailed examinations. The officer will issue a formal report when the investigations are complete. Criminal charges may also be placed as a result of the investigations.

What should I do after I have been dismissed from the accident scene?

1. Call your auto insurance company and relay all information concerning the accident.
2. Follow up with your doctor even if you don’t think you have injuries. This needs to be done that day. If you do have unseen injuries, you don’t want any questions arising concerning the cause of the injuries.
3. Contact your lawyer so you will understand your rights and responsibilities.
4. Report the accident to the Department of Public Safety

What to do in an Auto Accident?

Immediately after being injured in an auto accident, you are thrown into an adversarial legal system that is complex and confusing. While you are still receiving initial treatment for your injuries in a hospital emergency room, the parties at fault have already notified their insurance company of the accident.

This Blog was posted by Smithson Valley Services Air Conditioning

Heating & Air Conditioning Repair – Mobile Home Air Conditioning Units Prices

One of the leading brands available on the market is the American Standard air conditioning unit. The American Standard company is well known and respected for the excellent quality in its products and services. If you are looking for an air conditioning unit that will give you value for your money, the American Standard air conditioning unit is what you are looking for. They are affordable and very efficient; you are bound to see the difference in your light bill with one of these units.

One of the advantages of owning an American Standardg unit is it seasonal energy efficient ratio (SEER) ratings. This number indicates how efficient the air conditioner converts electricity into cool air. Hence, a high SEER rating is an indication of an efficient air conditioning unit. In most cases the SEER rating of an American Standard air conditioning unit is high, providing a clear indication of efficiency associated with this brand of air conditioners. With a unit from American Standard in your home, you will immediately begin to see the reflection of its efficiency on your light bill as it will require less electricity than other lower rated brands to you that soothing and relaxing cool air. Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTION:whats the price of the cheapest central air conditioning unit?Would be for a mobile home, single wide
ANSWER:The least expensive “central” system you can install is a “mini-split” system. Links below.

And then, given that such mobile units are usually relatively poorly insulated, a standard 2.5 ton conventional AC unit with an A-coil attached to your existing furnace if there is room for it. This involves sheet-metal work, a larger pad for the condenser, and other infrastructure that the mini-splits do not require.

You should be able to get a dual-zone mini-split system installed for something between 800 and,000 depending on your location, the size of the unit and a few other factors. A conventional unit will start at around ,000 and work up from there.
QUESTION:Air conditioning question?I live in a 1200-square-foot mobile home and I have central air installed. The unit they bought out is a 2 ton unit. I am pretty sure I am being ripped off since I can’t imagine I need something as big as most multi story homes. The question is AM I bing ripped off and will this 2 ton unit hurt anything in the house (electricity prices, furnace?)

If so the unit is already installed what do I do now? Thanks for the answers so far.

It is just one, 2 ton unit. It was being installed and when I got home from work last night they had the outside work done then that is how I discovered it’s sooooo big and started getting concerned. ANSWER:If I recall, a 1 1/2 should do a 1000 sq ft home, depending where your are located. I would think the 2 ton is not a rip off, for 1200 sqf. It is better to have a little bigger unit, working efficiently, than a small unit being over worked.
QUESTION:Not sure if we would qualify.?Mu husband and i are looking at buying a mobile home located in a park where you rent the land, and buy the mobile. It’s a very good idea for us to do, considering a studio apartment starts at 0 a month in our area, and buying this mobile home with space rent, and an approx. mortgage payment for a 3 bedroom would be about 0 a month.Anyways, this mobile home is on the market for ,000 and its appriasal is around ,000. The homes in the city this home is located in have not been selling very well, so they are definetely priced to sell.

My husband just got a new job, after the place he worked at before went out of business. He has always had a stable job, and the company he works for now he has worked for in the past long term, and he also has about 18 years of experience in his job field.

I just got a job a few months ago working for a company that I have worked for in the past long term, and I have about 4 years of experience in this work field, and I am also in college.

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My husband has incredibly poor credit, a score of 544 with some credit card debt, as well as a foreclosure on his name, but that happened a little over 3 years ago.

I am young, have no credit, and have never owned a home.

Do you think we would be able to qualify for any types of loans out there? I am just thinking about the fact that the home is worth so much more, we have a solid rent history in the same type of park setting, and we bring in about 00.00 a month before taxes. We also can provide 20% down, but would like to take out an additional 00.00 to get a decent air conditioning unit, and new stove.
ANSWER:Mobile homes in parks go down in value. This unit is not worth ,000 or it would have sold for that amount. It is probably not worth ,000.

You would be much better off saving more down payment, cleaning up his credit, and buying a home in a year or two. A conventional home is an investment; a mobile is not.

If you are determined to buy this one, offer 10% on an owner contract. You probably won’t come close to qualifying for anything from a bank with your credit and the fact they hate to loan on units in a park.
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Termite Control Methods

Termite treatment costs vary and are not cheap. You must be aware of the signs of termites even before infestation happens. Controlling termites before an infestation can keep the cost of treatment lower. Many think that identifying the signs are hard, but that is untrue as spotting termites is easy once you have the basic information about them. Moreover, you would be able to estimate the cost of having to treat your home with this information. When you think you may have termites on you property, call your Local San Antonio Pest Control Company

How to Identify Termites

The first thing you should know is how to identify these termites. One particular termite is usually found in coastal areas and known as the drywood termite. As the name goes, these termites feed on dry wood obtained from houses, trees, and even fences. You know that these termites are around once you notice small fecal pellets that look like small grains of wood that are left behind by these termites, normally by the wood or food source they would be feeding on. There are also indications left in houses, by window sills, and by cracks or other openings of wooden objects or furniture.

Another kind of termite is known as the subterranean that are widely found in the country, mostly in the southeastern moist climates. These termites leave behind mud tunnels, no wider than a single pencil, as they crawl their way to their food source. These mud tunnels are usually found in attics, basements, or any unfinished areas of the house. These termites may not seem to be there as they destroy your house, as damage may not be visible on the surface. Their presence can also be detected by the white swarms that fly in during spring and autumn as well as their shed wings.

What Determines Termite Treatment Costs?

Overall, termite treatment will depend on the type of termite that is being dealt with, damage inflicted by these termites, and the size of the house or area that has to be treated. Many have pipes placed around the house as well as underneath the house foundation or infested structure, to have insecticides running through them to be able to treat the infestation. The cost of this particular treatment may be a hundred dollars to over thousands of dollars. To be able to get an estimate, you can measure the feet around the house foundation and multiply it by 4 to 7 dollars.

Once the termite infestation has been treated and in control, you can make a bond or take up a contract with the professionals to inspect every year for further termite problems. Such bonds or contracts can help you save up on money to avoid any future treatments as the problem may be detected early through inspection.
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