What Is 18 wheeler accident law firm Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law protects against accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits of semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by most states. There are numerous weigh stations on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver gets found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be fined, or even imprisoned, based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.

Axle groups are given a higher limit because distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be carried. A single tire on a wheel is only weighed up to 700 pounds per inch, but when two tires are on the same axle, it can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, while others permit triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a piece of metal that sits over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractor and sleeper cabs which include an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit. They are made for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to the lane restrictions truck drivers also must adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to drive at the same speeds as cars used by passengers. If they do, accidents could occur. In most cases the driver of the truck is the culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are allowed to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations, or being distracted or asleep behind the wheel.

Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left lane. Trucks brake much slower than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This could be a risky problem, particularly for those who drive smaller vehicles and may be stranded behind a truck when it suddenly stops or slows down.

Some states restrict the use of lane lanes in certain circumstances, and some restrict it to large trucks. In some instances these laws are built around axel and weight limits, while in others they may be based upon vehicle description or direction signs.

Even if there is no law that is statewide, you should check local rules regarding lane restrictions and follow them. Also, you should move to the left if you see a truck in the pass lane to ensure that it does not hinder cars approaching you.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking companies have a wealth of resources to employ to pressure accident victims to accept less than they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers who advocate on their behalf even before they know whether an accident victim will pursue legal recourse.

Because they can carry massive loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause massive injuries and property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is important to hire an a seasoned attorney fight for your rights and recoveries against these large, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics, federal trucking regulations, medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers can discover any infringements of these laws, and show the jury what led to your accident.

Many parties could be at fault for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheeler accident wheels will investigate all accountable parties and ensure they pay their fair portion of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking companies, accidents owners as well as maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to provide large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know whether you'll seek legal recourse. That is why it is essential to get an experienced attorney who can match their resources and reduce them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler crash lawyer can help you deal with these corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you deserve. This can be used to cover expenses such as medical bills that are costly car damage, loss of wages due to absence from work, and also non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and to perform maintenance can result in catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers are commonly used for transporting hazardous materials, that require special training and licenses. The material is flammable, explosive, radiological or poisonous, all of which could pose a significant risk to other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash lawyer can determine the precise causes of your accident and hold any responsible parties who may be responsible. These may include the driver of the truck and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is called vicarious liability.