What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents caused by commercial truck drivers their rigs, Lawyers and 18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheelers are covered under the law of 18 wheels. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause accidents involving trucks to be devastating.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits of semi-trucks is crucial. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by the majority of states. There are numerous weigh stations on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even sentenced to jail depending on their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups have a greater weight limit due to the fact that the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed across multiple axles. This also allows for the transport of larger cargo. For example, a single tire on an axle can weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are 2 tires on that same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.

There are restrictions on the kinds of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, while other states allow twin or triple trailers. Many states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a piece of metal that sits over the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractor and sleeper cabs, which incorporate an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers, and should they do, they might cause accidents. In many cases, it is the driver of the truck who is responsible. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can be driving for longer than is permitted and break hours-of service rules or get sleepy or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left lane. This is due to the fact that trucks take a lot longer trucks to stop than passenger vehicles. This could be a risky situation, especially for cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states specifically exclude large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, and other states limit the use of the lane in specific circumstances. In certain cases the laws are determined by weight and axel limits, while in others, they may be based upon vehicle description or direction signs.

Even if there's no law that is statewide however, you must check local rules regarding limitations on lane usage and follow them. Also, you should move to the right when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have a wealth of resources at their disposal to pressure accident victims to accept a lesser amount than they deserve. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who work on their behalf before they even know whether the victim of an accident will take legal action.

In accidents, 18-wheelers are often responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such large load and are so massive compared to passenger vehicles. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a skilled attorney defend your rights and get you justice against these powerful, massive corporations.

Large truck accidents require a deep understanding of concepts that are derived from biology, chemistry and physics and federal trucking regulations medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers are able find any violations of these laws, and show the jury what led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the careless or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties responsible and ensure that they pay their fair share for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to deploy large teams of adjusters, lawyers, engineers and experts quickly. They start this process even before they are aware of whether you will seek legal recourse. That's why it's crucial to hire an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and bring them down to size.

A lawyer who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions will ease your burden and help you get the compensation you're due. The money could be used to pay for lawyers expenses like steep medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as loss of wages due to absence from work, and also non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and keep accurate records could result in catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous materials which require special training and licensing. This material can be explosive, flammable, radiological, or toxic, all of which could pose a significant risk for other drivers on American roads. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured.

A reputable 18 wheeler accident lawyer will determine the exact causes of your accident and hold liable any parties who are responsible. This could include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is called vicarious liability.