Alabama Truck Accident Injury Attorneys
As an industry, truck drivers and trucking companies have a specialized set of terms to describe equipment and processes. In some instances, when a person has been injured in a trucking accident, a working knowledge of trucking industry terms can prove helpful.
At the law offices of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, P.C., we serve individuals and families injured in truck and other motor vehicle accidents throughout Alabama. Contact our firm to schedule a free initial consultation if you were hurt in a roadway accident. With the goal of obtaining the maximum financial compensation for you, we will begin investigating the details of your accident as quickly as possible.
Glossary of Trucking Terms
Bill of Lading: Document between a shipper and a carrier describing the nature of cargo, its destination and origin and receipt of goods for transport
Bobtail Truck: A tractor without a trailer
Box Truck: A single-unit truck with six to 10 wheels
Company Driver: Drivers employed by carriers to drive company trucks
Consignment: A carrier taking responsibility for and transporting cargo from a consignor to a consignee
Deadhead: A truck operating with an empty trailer
Engine Brake: Braking by shifting into lower gears, commonly used during steep, downhill grades
Fifth Wheel: A pivoting platform on the tractor used to support the front of a trailer
Lift Axle: An axle that can be lowered to provide greater load capacity
Long Haul: Cross-country or international routes
Owner Operator: Self-employed drivers who operate privately owned or leased trucks
Over the Road (OTR): Transporting cargo to any place at any time
Semi Truck/Semi-trailer Truck: A combination vehicle composed of a 10-wheel truck and an eight-wheel trailer, also known as big rig, 18-wheeler or tractor trailer
Standard Configuration: A single trailer attached to the semi truck
Tandem: Set of dual wheels or axles spaced close together
Team Drivers: Two or more drivers who ride together but drive the same truck in shifts
Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a trucking crash or have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident, contact our firm to schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our experienced legal team.
