What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents caused by commercial truck drivers their rigs and 18 wheeler accident lawyer 18 wheelers are covered by the law of 18 wheels. These huge vehicles must be subject to strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can lead to devastating trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Most states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. Weigh stations are common along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure they do not exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught violating these limitations they could be fined or even jailed based on the location and criminal record.

Axle groups have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows for more cargo to be carried. For instance one tire on an axle can only be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are 2 tires on that same axle it can be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are restrictions on the kinds of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, while other states allow twin or triple trailers. Many states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab tractor models as well as sleeper cabs are available. They both have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks aren't permitted to drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents could occur. In many cases, the truck driver is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers may be driving for longer than they are permitted to, violating hours-of-service rules or be distracted or sleepy behind the wheel.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left lane. Trucks brake more slowly than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a serious problem, especially for people in smaller cars who may be stranded behind the truck when it suddenly stops or slows down.

Certain states restrict the use of lanes in specific circumstances, and some restrict it for large trucks. In some cases these laws are based on weight and axel limits, while in other they could be based on vehicle descriptions or directions.

Even if there isn't a statewide law on lane restrictions, you should still be aware of local rules and follow them. It is also recommended to move to the right when you see a truck in the pass lane so that it does not hinder faster vehicles from passing you.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheeler and trucking firms have an abundance of resources to make use of to force accident victims to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who act on their behalf before they know if the victim of the accident will take legal action.

In the event of an accident 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheelers can be blamed for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage because they carry such large loads and are so large in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is especially true when these trucks collide into other motor vehicles. It is essential to have an experienced lawyers fight for your rights and recovery against these large, powerful corporations.

Large truck accidents require a thorough understanding of concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, 18 wheeler accident lawyer biology, federal trucking regulations, medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers have the knowledge to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury how it led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligence or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair part of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking firms, owners and maintenance contractors, and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze the weather conditions that could have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to put together large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know if you'll be seeking legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and reducing them in size.

A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer can take the burden of dealing with these corporations off your hands and focus on getting you the compensation you deserve. This money can be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage as well as lost income from missing work and other non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to maintain detailed records and perform this maintenance can result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized licenses to transport. These materials may be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a major risk to other drivers on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could result in a catastrophic accident.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can determine the cause and blame the individuals who could be accountable. These may include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is known as vicarious liability.