What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

Unfortunately, trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer hours and 18 wheeler accident manipulate log books. This can cause catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limitations for semi trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. Weigh stations are prevalent along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker gets discovered to be violating these limits, they could be fined or even imprisoned, based on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher limit because distributing the weight over a wider range of axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows more cargo to be transported. For instance, a single tire on an axle can only weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are two tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, whereas others only permit triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that is placed above the drive wheels, and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractor models as well as sleeper cabs are readily available. They both include an area for sleeping in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must obey traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and should they do, they may cause accidents. In many instances, the truck driver is the culprit in these accidents. This is because truck drivers often drive longer than the limit or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or be distracted or sleepy behind the wheel.

Another important limitation on lane is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left right lane. This is due to the fact that trucks take longer trucks to brake than passenger vehicles. This could be a dangerous situation, particularly for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

Some states specifically target large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane, whereas others only restrict the use of the lane in specific circumstances. In some cases, these laws are built around axel and weight limits, whereas in others, they may be based on vehicle descriptions or direction signs.

Even if there's no statewide law it is important to check local rules on the lane restriction and adhere to the rules. You should also move to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have huge resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who represent them before they know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are so much larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is particularly the case when they collide into other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require a thorough understanding of concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, federal trucking regulations, medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers are able identify any violations of these laws and explain to the jury what led to your accident.

There are many parties that can be responsible for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the responsible parties and ensure that they are liable for your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking firms as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of resources available and can quickly send teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers to develop a strategy for defense against accident victims. They start this process before they know if you intend to seek legal recourse. This is why it is vital to immediately hire an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and reduce them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer will relieve the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your shoulders and focus on obtaining the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage loss of income due to missed work, and other non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are a complex vehicle and require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and perform this maintenance can cause disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material, which requires special training and specialized certification to transport. The material could be explosive, flammable, radiological or poisonous, all of which could pose a significant risk for other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could cause a devastating accident.

A competent attorney for 18-wheelers can determine the causes and blame any other individuals who could be accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm and the owner of the trailer as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.