What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

Unfortunately, trucking companies often pressure their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits of semi-trucks is crucial. Most states have both single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be adhered to. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed in order to verify that they are not exceeding the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught breaking these limits they could face fines and even sentenced to jail according to their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups have a higher limit as distributing the weight across more axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on an wheel can weigh up to 665 pounds per inch however, when two tires are mounted on the same axle, they 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. Some states allow only one trailer, whereas others only allow triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require a fifth wheel on the trailer which is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels which joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs that have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit and are designed for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must observe speed limits and traffic signals in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles, and even if they do, they may cause accidents. In many cases, the driver of the truck is the culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are permitted to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations or be distracted or sleepy behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left lane. Trucks brake more slowly than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a very risky situation, particularly for cars with smaller wheels that could get stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states 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 cases, these laws are based on weight and axel limits, while in others, they may be based on the description of the vehicle or direction signs.

Although there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still look over the local rules and observe them. You should also shift to the right when you see a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have huge resources available to force accident victims to accept a lesser amount than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers that work on their behalf, even before they know whether an accident victim will seek legal remedy.

Because they carry huge loads and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause severe injuries and massive property damage in accidents. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a seasoned attorney defend your rights and recover against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complicated concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics, federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers have the experience to discover violations of these laws and explain to the jury how it led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the careless or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the responsible parties and ensure that they pay their fair share for your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking companies, owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that could have played a role in your accident.

Insurance

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

A seasoned waterloo 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler crash lawyer can relieve the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you deserve. The money could be used to cover medical expenses, vehicle damage as well as lost income from missing work, and other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are complex vehicles that require a high-level, structured maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep accurate logs can lead to catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized certification to transport. This material can be flammable, explosive, radiological or poisonous, all of which present significant dangers for other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also result in a catastrophic accident.

A competent donora 18 wheeler Accident lawsuit-wheeler accident attorney can determine the causes and blame any other parties that may be accountable. These may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is called vicarious liability.