What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law deals with accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles must be subject to strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by most states. Weigh stations are commonplace on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker gets found to be in violation of these limits, they may be fined or even jailed based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher limit as distributing the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel is only weighed up to 650 pounds per inch, however, if two tires are on the same axle, they could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate which sits above the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are offered. They both include a sleeping space inside the tractor 18 wheeler accident attorney unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by traffic rules and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks aren't able to travel at the same speed as vehicles for passengers, and even if they do, they might cause accidents. In a lot of cases, it's the driver of the truck who is responsible. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive longer than they are allowed to and break hours-of service rules or become tired or distracted behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left right lane. Trucks are slower to brake than cars for passenger use. This could result in a risky situation, especially for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

Some states restrict the use of lanes in specific situations, while other states restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. In some cases the laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, while in others they may be based upon vehicle description or direction signs.

Although there's no statewide law on lane restrictions, you should still be aware of local rules and follow the rules. You should also move to the left when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking companies have an array of resources they can employ to pressure accident victims into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who work on their behalf before they even know whether the accident victim will pursue legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers are usually responsible for severe injuries and property damage because they carry such large load and are so massive relative to passenger vehicles. This is especially the case when they collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to have an an experienced attorney fight for your rights and recovery against these powerful, massive corporations.

Large truck accidents require a deep understanding of concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney federal trucking regulations medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers are able to discover any infringements of these laws, and show the jury what caused your accident.

18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the careless or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the accountable parties and ensure they are liable for their fair part of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking firms as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can provide large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know if you intend to seek legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.

An attorney who has experience handling 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheeler collisions can ease the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you're due. The money will cover costs such as medical bills that are costly and vehicle damage, as well as the loss of earnings due to a lack of work, as well as non-economic injuries like suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are a complex vehicle and require high-end, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Inability to keep detailed logs and perform the necessary maintenance could lead to catastrophe-causing accidents.

Tractor-trailers can be used to transport hazardous substances, that require special training and licensing. The material may be flammable, explosive, radiological or poisonous, all of which pose significant risks for other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also result in a catastrophic accident.

A qualified 18 wheeler accident lawyers-wheeler crash attorney can determine the exact cause of the accident and pinpoint any individuals accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm or the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.