What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

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

Weight Regulations

It is essential to understand the weight limits for semi trucks. The majority of states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. It is commonplace to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed to make sure they do not exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught in violation of these limits and is fined, they could be penalized or even imprisoned depending on their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be carried. For example a single tire mounted on an axle is able to be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are two tires on the same axle, it can be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are restrictions on the kinds of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, and others only allow triple or twin trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a piece of metal that sits over the drive wheels, and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are offered. They both include a sleeping area in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and, should they do, they may cause accidents. In a lot of cases, the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers may be driving longer than they are entitled to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or simply being tired or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left side of the road. Trucks brake more slowly than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a dangerous problem, especially for people with smaller cars who could be stranded behind a truck if it suddenly stops or slows down.

There are some states that specifically exempt large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, whereas other states limit the use of the lane only in certain circumstances. These laws may be based on weight or axel limit. In other cases, they could be based solely on vehicle description.

Even if there's no statewide law however, you must check local rules about limitations on lane usage and follow them. Also, you should move to the right side if you spot trucks passing in the lane in order to not hinder faster vehicles from taking over.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking companies have an array of resources they can make use of to force victims of accidents to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who work on their behalf before they even know if the victim of an accident will take legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers are usually responsible for a number of serious injuries and property damage because they carry such heavy loads and are so large when compared to passenger cars. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is important to hire an a skilled attorney fight for your rights and recovery against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and trucking regulations from the federal government and medical practices, driving regulations and other related areas. Our lawyers are able to uncover any violations of these laws and present to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the negligence or reckless actions of several parties. Our NY attorney for elizabethtown 18 Wheeler accident law firm wheeler accidents will investigate all responsible parties and ensure they pay their fair portion of your current and expected costs. This includes trucking firms, owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that could have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

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

A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer can take the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on securing the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to pay medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and other damages that are not economic such as suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are complex vehicles and require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to keep accurate records and to perform maintenance can result in devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous substances, that require specialized training and certification. The material may be explosive, flammable, radiological, or poisonous, all of which can pose serious dangers to other drivers on American roads. A fatal accident could occur if the cargo is not properly labelled and secured.

A skilled bessemer 18 wheeler accident law firm-wheeler crash lawyer can determine the cause of the accident and pinpoint any individuals responsible. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm and the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.