What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law protects against accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These huge vehicles must adhere to strict federal guidelines for maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often make their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can lead to devastating trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to be aware of the weight limitations of semi trucks. Most states have both single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. It is typical to see weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed in order to confirm that they are not exceeding the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught breaking these limits and is fined, they could be penalized or even imprisoned subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are granted an increased limit because spreading the weight across multiple axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows more cargo to be transported. For example a single tire mounted on an axle is able to be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on the same axle it can be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer while others only allow triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate that sits above the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate sleeping areas inside the tractor unit. They are made to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions truck drivers also must be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks aren't able to travel at the same speed as cars and, if they do, they could cause accidents. In a lot of cases, it is the truck driver who is responsible. This is because truck drivers may drive for longer than allowed or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or become tired or distracted behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left the 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.

Some states specifically target large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, whereas other states limit the usage of the lane in certain circumstances. In certain instances, these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, whereas in other, they may be based on vehicle description or directions.

Although there's no statewide law on lane restrictions, you must still review the local rules and observe them. It is also recommended to move to the right when you notice a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler accident-wheeler and trucking firms have a wealth of resources to utilize to force accident victims into accepting less than they're entitled. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers who work for their clients even before they know whether the victim of the accident is going to seek legal relief.

Because they are able to carry enormous loads and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause massive injuries and property damage in accidents. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to have an a skilled attorney defend your rights and recover against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complex concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers have the experience to find violations of these laws, and then show the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

There are many parties that can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck crashes. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all liable parties and make sure they are paid their fair share of your current and 18 Wheeler Accidents expected costs. This includes trucking firms owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze the weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of resources available and can swiftly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers to help defend accident victims. They start the process before they decide if you will to seek legal recourse. That's why it's so important to immediately retain an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and reduce them to size.

A lawyer with experience in handling 18-wheeler crashes will relieve you of the burden and help you receive the compensation you deserve. This can be used to cover expenses like steep medical bills or vehicle damage, lost wages due to missing work, and also non-economic injuries like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and keep accurate records could lead to catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material that requires specialized training and special licensing for transport. This material can be flammable, explosive, radiological or toxic, all of which pose significant risks for other drivers on American roads. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the load was not properly labeled and secured.

A skilled 18-wheeler crash lawyer will determine the exact cause and blame the individuals accountable. This could include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.