What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law regulates accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often force their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause trucking accidents to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limitations for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is typical to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed to verify that they do not exceed maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a truck driver is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be fined or even jailed depending on the state of their residence and criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher limit because distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows for more cargo to be transported. For example a single tire mounted on an axle can only weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are two tires on the same axle, it could be measured at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while others only allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, some states require a fifth wheel on the trailer. It is a round plate above the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are available. They both have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must observe traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not allowed to travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents may occur. In a lot of cases, it's the driver of the truck at fault. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are allowed to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations or be tired or distracted behind the wheel.

Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left side of the road. This is because trucks take longer trucks to stop than cars. This can be a very dangerous situation, particularly for cars with smaller wheels that could be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states specifically target large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane. However, others only restrict the use of the lane only in specific situations. In certain instances these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, while in other they may be based on vehicle descriptions or directions.

Even if there's no statewide law, you should check local rules on limitations on lane usage and follow them. Also, you should move to the right when you spot trucks in the passing lane, so that it does not hinder faster cars from passing you.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler companies have many resources they can employ to pressure accident victims to accept less than they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who represent them before they know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for severe injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such heavy loads and are huge compared to passenger vehicles. This is especially so when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is vital to hire a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics as well as federal trucking regulations medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers are able to uncover any violations of these laws, and present to the jury the circumstances that caused your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the careless or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the responsible parties and ensure that they pay their fair share for your present and future expenses. This includes trucking firms and owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that could be a factor in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can put together large teams of lawyers, firms adjusters engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They begin the process before they know whether you are going to seek legal recourse. That's why it's so important to immediately retain an experienced attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accidents wheeler accident lawyer will help you deal with these large corporations off your hands and concentrate on securing the compensation you deserve. The money will cover costs such as medical bills that are costly, vehicle damage, loss of wages due to absence from work, and also non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep detailed records could lead to tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers can be used for transporting hazardous materials, which require specialized training and a license. These materials may be explosive or flammable or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other motorists on American highways. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured.

A qualified 18 wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact causes of your accident and hold liable any parties who may be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck or the trucking company the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.