What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law deals with accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These huge vehicles must be subject to strict federal guidelines for maintenance safety, training, and maintenance.

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

Weight Regulations

Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. The majority of states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found violating these limits, they could be fined and even put in jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups have a greater weight limit because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is distributed across multiple axles. This also allows for the transportation of more cargo. A single tire on an wheel can only be weighed up to 650 pounds per inch however, when two tires are on the same axle, it could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while other states allow twin or triple trailers. In addition, some 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 both day cab tractor 18 wheeler accident and sleeper cabs which include sleeping areas inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions, truck drivers must also be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and when they do, they can cause accidents. In a lot of instances, it's the truck driver that is the one to blame. Truck drivers may be driving longer than they are allowed to, violating hours-of-service rules or be distracted or asleep behind the wheel.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left side of the road. This is due to the fact that trucks take longer trucks to brake than cars. This can pose a danger issue, especially for those in cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind a truck when it slows or stops abruptly.

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

Even if there's no statewide law governing lane restrictions, you should still be aware of local rules and abide by them. You should also move to the right when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have a wealth of resources to pressure victims of accidents to accept less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts who work on their behalf, even before they know whether the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.

Because they can carry massive loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause severe injuries and massive property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology as well as federal regulations for trucking and medical practices, driving regulations and many other related areas. Our lawyers can uncover any violations of these laws and present to the jury the circumstances that caused your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all responsible parties and ensure they are liable for their fair part of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking companies as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that could have played a role in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can deploy large teams of adjusters, lawyers, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know if you will seek legal recourse. That's why it's essential to get an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can alleviate the burden of dealing with these corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you are entitled to. This money can be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work as well as other non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

moreno valley 18 wheeler accident lawyer wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to keep accurate records and perform this maintenance could lead to catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials, which requires special training and specialized licensing to transport. These materials may be explosive or flammable and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a serious danger to other drivers on American highways. A serious accident can also occur if the load is not properly labelled and secured.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney will determine the exact causes and blame any other individuals responsible. This could include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious responsibility.