What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the law governing 18 wheelers. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently pressure their drivers to work longer hours and alter log books. This can cause accidents involving trucks to be devastating.

Weight Regulations

It is crucial to know the weight limitations of semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is typical to see weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed in order to confirm that they are not exceeding the maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught breaking these limits and is fined, they could be penalized and even sentenced to jail depending on their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups have a higher weight limit because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is distributed across multiple axles. This also permits the carriage of more cargo. For example one tire on an axle can be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on that same axle it can be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while other states only permit twin or triple trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate that sits above the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs can be found. They all have sleeping spaces inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions Truck drivers must also comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers, and should they do, they can cause accidents. In most instances, it is the truck driver who is at fault. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are entitled to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations or be tired or distracted behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left side of the road. This is because it takes a lot longer for trucks to stop than cars. This can pose a danger issue, particularly for those in smaller cars who may be stranded behind a truck when it slows or stops suddenly.

Certain states restrict the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict it for large trucks. In certain cases the laws are built around axel and weight limits, whereas in other, they may be based upon vehicle description or directions.

Even if there's no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules about lane restrictions and follow the rules. You should also move to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler companies have many resources they can utilize to force accident victims into accepting less than they're entitled. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers that work on their behalf, even before they know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.

In accidents 18-wheelers are usually responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such hefty loads and are so large in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is vital to hire a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry, federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving and other related areas. Our lawyers are able to uncover violations of these laws and explain to the jury how it led to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY milwaukie 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the responsible parties and ensure that they are liable for your present and future expenses. This includes trucking companies, Vimeo owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that might have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can put together large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They start this process before they even know whether you are going to seek legal recourse. It is crucial to hire an attorney who can match their resources and helping them decrease in size.

A lawyer with expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents can ease the burden and help you obtain the compensation you're due. This money can be used to cover medical expenses, vehicle damages and lost income due to missed work, and other non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and keep detailed logs can lead to catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and special licensing for transport. This material can be flammable, explosive, radiological or poisonous, all of which present significant dangers for other drivers on American roads. A catastrophic accident could also happen if the load is not properly labelled and secured.

A competent attorney for bonita springs 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheelers will determine the exact cause of the accident and pinpoint any individuals accountable. This could include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.