Law Offices of Michael Garcia
Law Offices of Michael Garcia
Contact information and mailing address:
7676 Hazard Center Drive, 5th Floor
San Diego, California 92108
Telephone: 1-877-299-0550
Fax: 1-877-845-6048
Copyright © 2011 Law Offices of Michael Garcia All Rights Reserved
By using this website you agree to the terms and conditions for the use of this site.
Check the license and authority status of any interstate carrier by searching the US DOT website:
Michael Garcia is an attorney from Santa Clara, California and the principal of the Law Office of Michael Garcia. Mr. Garcia is an author, trial attorney, and consumer protection attorney. His firm specializes in interstate and intrastate transportation law and the representation of household goods moving companies, bus and passenger carriers, and consumers. His practice focuses on regulatory compliance and training, tariff and contract requirements, safety compliance, and consumer protection laws. Mr. Garcia's practice has a strong emphasis on training in order to avoid litigation and regulatory actions by educating motor carriers to operate in compliance with the law and to protect consumers.
Moving company representation: Mr. Garcia's regulatory compliance practice includes training, drafting of shipping documents (bill of lading, order for service, binding estimate, non-binding estimate, etc.). Mr. Garcia's firm publishes custom interstate moving company tariffs in compliance with FMCSA and STB regulations. Mr. Garcia's firm also represents moving companies in regulatory actions and civil lawsuits against moving companies.
Bus and Passenger Carrier representation: Mr. Garcia's representation of bus and passenger carriers focuses on licensing, regulatory compliance, and safety and fitness matters.
Consumer representation: Mr. Garcia's represents consumers in lawsuits against moving companies and in arbitration. Lawsuits against moving companies may include damages to property, breach of contract, tariff or regulatory violations, and hostage loads.
Mr. Garcia is admitted to practice before all state courts in California; and the United States District Court Northern District of California. He frequently represents motor carriers in administrative actions before the United States DOT FMCSA.
The information contained on this website is designed for informational purposes only. Nothing on this website is designed or intended to constitute legal advice. Federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the moving industry change frequently and may be interpreted differently by different people. If you need specific legal advice you should consult Mr. Garcia directly or a representative from the US DOT.
Passenger Carriers
Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Interstate Passenger Carrier (motorcoach/bus) companies must comply with all applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Failure to comply with the governing FMCSA regulations can result in civil penalties, criminal penalties, and out of service orders.
According to the FMCSA, motorcoach/bus travel remains one of the safest modes of highway transportation in the United States, transporting approximately 750 million passengers per year in over-the-road buses. There are approximately 4,000 motorcoach/bus passenger carriers registered with operating authority with the FMCSA. During the 10-year period of 2001 through 2010, the FMCSA has reported that motorcoach/bus crashes have resulted in an average of 17 motorcoach/bus occupant fatalities per year. Additionally, some crashes also resulted in additional fatalities and injuries of pedestrians, drivers, and passengers of other vehicles involved in these crashes. (U.S. DOT Motor Coach Safety Action Plan, - 2012 Update, Pg. 3).
FMCSA ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ARE ON THE RISE.
FMCSA enforcement actions are on the rise and nationwide "Bus Inspection Strike Forces" are being used to crackdown on companies not in compliance with the regulations. Recently the FMCSA Administrator emphasized that "Aggressive strike force inspections help save lives on our roadways and protect people who travel by bus." (FMCSA news release 08-26-13).
Bus and Passenger motorcoach operators must assess their regulatory compliance programs to ensure full compliance measures are in place to avoid enforcement actions. If a bus or other passenger motorcoach carrier has received a safety enforcement action Notice of claim, proposed unsatisfactory safety rating, or an "Imminent Hazard" out of service order - corrective actions must be taken and a formal response to the FMCSA must be filed in a timely manner - TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.
Summary of Important FMCSA Regulations for Passenger Carriers
To order a free copy of the Passenger Carriers Safety and compliance booklet please contact:
Motorcoach & Bus
