What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law covers accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often press their drivers to complete longer hours and alter log books. This can lead accidents involving trucks to be devastating.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to understand the weight limitations of semi trucks. Most states have both single axle and group axle weight limits which must be adhered to. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed to confirm that they are not exceeding the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is discovered to be violating these limits, they may be fined or even jailed depending on the location and criminal record.

Axle groups are given an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be carried. A single tire on an wheel can weigh up to 650 pounds per inch but when two tires are mounted on the same axle, it can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers which can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, while others only allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer which is a circular plate over the drive wheels which joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor firm unit. Both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both include a sleeping space in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must observe speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks aren't able to travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles and if they do, they could cause accidents. In many cases, it is the truck driver at fault. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive longer than the limit and break hours-of service rules or become tired or distracted behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left right lane. Trucks brake more slowly than cars for passenger use. This can pose a danger problem, especially for people in cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind trucks when it suddenly stops or slows down.

There are some states that specifically single out big trucks and block them from using the left lane, whereas others only restrict the usage of the lane in certain circumstances. In certain instances the laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, while in others, they may be based on the description of the vehicle or directions.

Even if there's no state-wide law on lane restrictions, you must still review the local rules and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the right if you spot a truck in the pass lane to ensure that it does not hinder faster vehicles from passing you.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have an array of resources they can use in order to force accident victims to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers who work on their behalf, even before they know if the victim of an accident will pursue legal recourse.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for a number of serious injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such large loads and are incredibly large relative to passenger vehicles. This is especially true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to have an a skilled attorney defend your rights and recover against these powerful, massive corporations.

Large vehicle accidents require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and trucking regulations from the federal government, medicine, driving standards and related fields. Our lawyers are able to find any violations of these laws and show the jury what caused your accident.

Multiple parties could be accountable for 18-wheeler truck crashes. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair part of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that could have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can put together large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, and experts quickly. They start this process before they even know whether you will to seek legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size.

A lawyer with expertise in dealing with 18-wheeler accidents will ease your burden and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damages loss of income due to missed work, and other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require a high-level, structured maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep accurate records could lead to tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and special licensing for transport. These materials can be explosive or flammable or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a major risk to other drivers on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could result in a catastrophic accident.

A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will determine the exact cause and blame any individuals who could be responsible. 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 known as vicarious liability.