What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheeler accidents 18 wheelers are covered by the 18 wheeler law. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.

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

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits of semi-trucks is crucial. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by most states. It is common to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed in order to verify that they aren't exceeding the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they may be fined or even imprisoned, based on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups are able to have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight across multiple axles is safer for the vehicle and allows more cargo to be carried. A single tire on a wheel can weigh up to 650 pounds per inch however, if two tires are on the same axle, they could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the kinds of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, while other states only permit triple or twin trailers. Many states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs that have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit. They are designed to be used for hauling over the road.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to limitations on lane width truck drivers also must comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, should they do, they can cause accidents. In most cases the truck driver is at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are entitled to, breaking hours-of-service regulations, or being tired or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers are not permitted to drive in the left side of the lane. Trucks are slower to brake than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a very risky situation, particularly for cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states prohibit the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict it to large trucks. In some cases the laws are built around axel and weight limits, whereas in other they could be based on vehicle descriptions or direction signs.

Even if there isn't a statewide regulation on lane limits, you should still look over the local rules and abide by them. You should also move to the left when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have a wealth of resources to force victims of accidents into accepting far less than they should. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who advocate on their behalf before they know if the victim of the accident will take legal action.

Because they can carry massive loads and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an experienced lawyers defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, large corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complicated concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry and physics and federal trucking regulations medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers are able find any violations of these laws, and show the jury what led to your accident.

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

Insurance

Trucking companies can deploy large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, and experts quickly. They start the process before they know whether you will to seek legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawsuits wheeler crash lawyer will take the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your shoulders and focus on obtaining the compensation you're due. The money could be used to pay for 18 Wheeler Accidents medical expenses, vehicle damages and lost income due to missed work and other damages that are not economic like suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles and require high-end, systematic maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep detailed records could result in catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized licensing to transport. The material may be explosive, flammable or toxic, all of which pose significant risks for other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a catastrophic accident.

A skilled 18-wheeler crash lawyer can determine the cause and blame any individuals who could be accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm as well as the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.