What Is 18 wheeler accident lawyers Wheeler Law?

Accidents with commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the 18 wheeler law. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can lead trucking accidents to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limits for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles and 18 wheeler accident Lawsuit group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is commonplace to see weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed to make sure they are not exceeding the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught violating these limitations they could be penalized or even imprisoned based on the state of their residence and criminal record.

Axle groups have an increased limit because spreading the weight across multiple axles makes the vehicle safer and allows for more cargo to be carried. A single tire on a wheel is only weighed up to 650 pounds per inch, however, when two tires are on the same axle, it could be weighed up to 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 allow twin or triple trailers. In addition, many states require the fifth wheel to be installed on the trailer. It is a circular plate over the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are available. They all have sleeping spaces in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to the lane restrictions truck drivers also must comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and should they do, they could cause accidents. In many cases, it's the driver of the truck at fault. This is due to truck drivers being able to drive for longer than allowed or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or get sleepy or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left lane. Trucks brake more slowly than cars for passenger use. This could be a dangerous situation, particularly for smaller vehicles that could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

There are states that specifically exempt big trucks and block them from using the left lane. However, other states limit the use of the lane only in specific situations. These laws may be based either on weight or axel limit. In other instances, they could be solely based on vehicle description.

Even if there's no law that is statewide, you should check local regulations regarding limitations on lane usage and follow the rules. You should also shift to the left if you see a truck in the passing lane in order to not hinder faster vehicles from passing you.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have huge resources available to force accident victims into accepting less than they deserve. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who act on their behalf before they know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially so when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology as well as federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and related areas. Our attorneys have the expertise to uncover violations of these laws, and then show the jury how they contributed to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck crashes. Our NY 18 Wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they pay their fair share for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze the weather conditions that could be a factor in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have vast resources available to them and can quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers to help defend accident victims. They start this process before they know whether you will to pursue legal recourse. That's why it's essential to get an experienced attorney who will match their resources and reduce them to size.

A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer will relieve the burden of dealing with these corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you're due. The money could be used to pay for expenses such as medical bills that are costly car damage, lost wages due to missing work, as well as non-economic damages like 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 accurate records could result in catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized licenses to transport. These materials can be flammable or explosive and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other drivers on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could cause a devastating accident.

A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer can determine the exact cause of your crash and liable for any party who may be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is known as vicarious liability.