WHAT WE DO - AREAS OF EXPERTISE

LITIGATION SERVICES OFFERED

1. Motor Carrier Identification: SALT can assist in identifying the motor carrier involved in an accident, their basic history, classification, size, area of operation, service agents and other important related data.

2. STB/DOT (ICC) Reports - Safety Profiles: Through our Washington, D.C. agents, SALT can furnish all portions of the Surface Transportation Board/DOT (formerly the "ICC") documents relative to a particular motor carrier if they are a registered for hire common or contract motor carrier. SALT can immediately identify private carriers and furnish basic information and secure the safety profile and values (SEA history) and safety rating as maintained by federal agencies on most private and for hire interstate motor carriers.

3. FOIA Letters: SALT can provide a precise Freedom of Information Act demand letter addressed to the correct Federal and/or State agencies in order to secure the past records on a motor carrier relative to their safety and compliance status within the motor carrier industry. This information would include any past punitive actions taken against a carrier, their safety rating at the time of an accident, and documents indicating past enforcement audits listing past violations, civil forfeitures, and any federal court actions taken against a particular motor carrier.

4. Interrogatories: SALT has many sample interrogatories which can be customized for motor carriers and their drivers that produce meaningful information and evidence for both defendants or plaintiffs.

5. Request to Produce - Subpoena Duces Tecum: SALT has numerous samples of Request to Produce and Subpoena Duces Tecum relative to all types of motor carrier operations (owner-operators, trip lessors, employed drivers, etc.) for both defendants and plaintiffs. Usually the filing of only one Request to Produce is necessary if SALT enters a case shortly after an accidental occurrence.

6. Auditing of Documents: Upon receipt of produced documents, the original Request to Produce in a case can be edited to show the answers of the adverse parties and an accounting of the documents received, indicating the documents not produced that should be in existence, which can be used in further negotiations or a "Motion to Compel" when necessary. Lastly, we audit and explain all types of motor carrier documents produced as to their true meaning and applicability to a given occurrence. We also accomplish time reconstruction relative to a driver's hours of service and evaluation of a driver and/or motor carrier's state of compliance with federal motor carrier safety regulations and hazardous materials regulations along with established motor carrier industry standards.

7. Depositions of Motor Carrier Personnel: SALT creates specific questions on a particular occurrence, both in writing and by being present at depositions in serious or complicated matters where SALT personnel can offer immediate knowledge and assistance to counsel.

8. Fact Consolidations: SALT organizes the involved motor carrier and driver data portion of a case, allowing the information to be clearly understood and located quickly by those involved.

9. Expert Opinions and Consultation: Evaluation and explanation of the evidence and facts involved will be made after discovery with advice afforded counsel, both positive and negative. It should be noted that on many occasions SALT participates only as evaluative consultants to counsel.

10. Depositions/Trials: SALT renders depositions in Phoenix, Arizona or at other designated locations throughout the U.S. as necessary. In the event trial testimony is necessary, SALT will offer expert testimony in the areas previously mentioned along with demonstrative evidence to support our testimony.

AREAS OF NON-EXPERTISE

SALT does not presently have personnel in the fields of warehousing (OSHA) or manufacturing (product liability) who qualify as specialists or experts. SALT does testify on the equipment and maintenance requirements of the Federal and State Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and considerable understanding of maintenance procedures and processes; however the actual repair and in-depth understanding of transmissions, etc., is beyond our area of expertise. If requested, SALT can refer recognized professionals in such fields. SALT does have motor carrier equipment and truck/bus brake experts on staff.

SALT's opinions are formed solely on the evidence presented in a given case, empirical knowledge of motor carriers and fleets, their accidents (crashes), equipment, personnel, drivers, operations, and cargo they transport inclusive of hazardous materials, along with any scientific data or historical facts relative to a subject matter.

 

SOLICITATION - ADVERTISEMENT

SALT represents both defendants and plaintiffs only upon their request or solicitation. This is the first time SALT has advertised to the legal profession at any time (original posting of The SALT website in 2000).