What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheeler law regulates accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often make their drivers to work for longer and 18 wheeler accident lawyer alter logbooks. This can lead to catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limits for semi-trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be observed. It is common to see weigh stations along interstates where truck drivers are weighed to ensure that they aren't exceeding the maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found violating these limits they could face fines and even sentenced to jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are granted a higher limit because distributing the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows more cargo to be transported. For instance a single tire on an axle is able to be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter but when there are two tires on that same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer while others only allow twin or triple trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer, which is a round plate above the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractor and sleeper cabs which include a sleeping area inside the tractor unit. They are made for over the road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must observe traffic signals and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks are not allowed to drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents can occur. In many instances the truck driver is the culprit in these accidents. This is due to truck drivers being able to drive longer than they are allowed to or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or become sleepy or distracted behind the driving.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers are not permitted to drive in the left or right. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than passenger cars. This can be a serious issue, particularly for those who drive smaller vehicles and may be stranded behind a truck if it stops abruptly or slows down.

Certain states prohibit the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict it to large trucks. In certain cases these laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, while in other they may be based on the description of the vehicle or directions.

Even if there isn't a statewide law governing lane restrictions, you must still review the local rules and observe them. Also, you should move to the right if you see trucks in the passing lane so that it does not block faster cars from overtaking you.

Ownership

Companies operating 18 wheelers and trucking have massive resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents into accepting less than they deserve. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts working on their behalf before they know if the victim of the accident is going to seek legal relief.

Due to their massive load and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is particularly so when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and federal regulations for trucking and medical practices, driving regulations and many other related areas. Our lawyers have the knowledge to uncover violations of these laws and explain to the jury how they contributed to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligent or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure they pay their fair share of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking firms owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze the weather conditions that could have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to deploy large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, and experts quickly. They start the process before they know if you intend to seek legal recourse. It is crucial to hire an attorney who can match their resources and reducing them in size.

A lawyer with experience handling 18-wheeler collisions will ease your burden and help you receive the compensation you're due. This can be used to cover expenses such as medical bills that are costly and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages due to missing work, and also non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are highly complex vehicles and require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain accurate logs can lead to devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. These materials may be flammable or explosive and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a major risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. A fatal accident could happen if the load is not properly labeled and secured.

A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can determine the cause of the accident and pinpoint any parties who are responsible. These could include the driver of the truck 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 liability.