What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler accident lawsuits wheeler law covers accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work for longer and alter logbooks. This can cause accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to be aware of the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Most states have both single axle and group axle weight limits which must be observed. There are numerous weigh stations along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found violating these limits and is fined, they could be penalized and even sent to jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups have a higher limit of weight since the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed across multiple axles. This also allows for the transport of more cargo. A single tire on a wheel can weigh up to 700 pounds per inch, but when two tires are on the same axle, they can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states permit only one trailer while others only permit triple or twin trailers. In addition, some states require the fifth wheel to be installed on the trailer. This is a circular plate over the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs that incorporate an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by traffic rules and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, should they do, they could cause accidents. In a lot of cases, the driver of the truck is the one at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving for longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations and/or being distracted or sleepy behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left the lane. Trucks brake much slower than cars for 18 wheeler accident lawyer passenger use. This could be a risky issue, especially for those in smaller cars who may be stuck behind a truck if it suddenly stops or slows down.

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

Even if there's no state-wide regulation on lane limits, you should still look over the local rules and adhere to them. Also, you should move to the right when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

Companies operating 18 wheelers and trucking have a vast array of resources to pressure accident victims into accepting far less than they should. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who act on their behalf before they know if the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause massive injuries and property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly relevant when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Large vehicle accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology and federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and other related fields. Our lawyers are able to discover violations of these laws and show the jury how they contributed to your accident.

Many parties could be at fault for the 18-wheeler truck crash. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure they are paid their fair part of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also study the weather conditions that could have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have a wealth of options available and are able to quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts to help defend the victims of accidents. They begin this process before they know whether you are going to seek legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size.

A lawyer with expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents can ease the burden and help you receive the compensation you deserve. The money could be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work as well as other non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are a complex vehicle and require high-end, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain accurate logs can lead to devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material that requires specialized training and specialized licensing to transport. These materials can be flammable or explosive or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a risk to other drivers on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could cause a devastating accident.

A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact cause of your crash and hold liable any parties who may be responsible. This could include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.