What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the 18 wheeler law. These huge vehicles must adhere to strict federal guidelines for maintenance security, safety, and training.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work for longer and alter logbooks. This can lead to devastating trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed in order to ensure that they are not exceeding the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker gets discovered to be violating these limits, they could be penalized or even jailed based on the state of their residence and criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher limit on weight because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread across multiple axles. This also permits the transport of more cargo. A single tire on a wheel can only weigh up to 650 pounds per inch but when two tires are on the same axle, they can be weighed to 1300 pounds.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, while others only allow triple or twin trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors and sleeper cabs can be found. They all have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must observe traffic rules and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as cars, and even if they do, they may cause accidents. In a lot of cases the driver of the truck is at fault in these accidents. This is because truck drivers may be driving for longer than is permitted, break hours-of-service rules, or become tired or distracted behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left side of the road. Trucks are slower to brake than cars for passenger use. This could be a risky problem, especially for people in smaller cars who may be stranded behind the truck when it slows or stops abruptly.

There are states that specifically exempt large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, and others only restrict the use of the lane in certain circumstances. In some instances these laws are based on weight and axel limits, whereas in other, they may be based on vehicle descriptions or directions.

Even if there's no state-wide law governing lane restrictions, you should still look over the local rules and adhere to the rules. It is also recommended to move to the right when you spot trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have a wealth of resources at their disposal to force victims of accidents into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who represent them before they even know if the victim of an accident will take legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers are frequently responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage because they carry such large loads and are huge compared to passenger vehicles. This is especially relevant when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is vital to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and federal regulations for trucking and medical practices, driving regulations and related fields. Our lawyers can uncover any violations of these laws and explain to the jury what caused your accident.

18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the negligent or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all of the accountable parties and 18 wheeler accidents ensure they are paid their fair portion of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking companies, owners and maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze weather conditions that might have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to put together large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, and experts quickly. They begin this process before they even know whether you will to pursue legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.

A lawyer who has experience in handling 18-wheeler crashes will relieve you of the burden and help you receive the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to pay for expenses like medical bills that are expensive, vehicle damage, the loss of earnings due to a lack of work, as well as non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are complex vehicles and require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Inability to keep detailed logs and perform the necessary maintenance could lead to disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized licensing to transport. The material could be flammable, explosive, radiological or poisonous, and all of these could pose a significant risk for other drivers on American roads. A catastrophic accident could also occur if the load was not properly labelled and secured.

A reputable 18 wheeler accident lawyer can determine the exact causes of your accident and hold any responsible parties that are accountable. These could 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 responsibility.