What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law protects against accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles must adhere to strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer hours and alter log books. This can lead to catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight restrictions for semi-trucks. Most states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be observed. It is common to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed to verify that they do not exceed the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found violating these limits they could face fines and even sent to jail depending on their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are able to have a higher limit as distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be carried. A single tire on a wheel is only weighed up to 650 pounds per inch, however, if two tires are on the same axle, it can be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple 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 couples (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are offered. They both come with an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to limitations on lane width, truck drivers must also adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as cars, and even if they do, they might cause accidents. In a lot of instances, it's the truck driver who is at fault. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are entitled to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations or be tired or distracted behind the wheel.

Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left side of the lane. This is due to the fact that it takes much longer for trucks to stop than cars. This could be a risky issue, especially for those with smaller cars who could be stranded behind the truck when it stops abruptly or slows down.

Some states limit the use of lanes in specific circumstances, and some restrict it for large trucks. In some instances the laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, while in others they may be based upon vehicle description or directions.

Even if there is no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules regarding the lane restriction and adhere to them. You should also move over to the right if you see a truck in the pass lane to ensure that it does not hinder faster vehicles from passing you.

Ownership

The trucking and corona 18 wheeler accident law firm-wheeler businesses have an array of resources they can make use of to force accident victims to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and 18 Wheeler Accident attorney experts working on their behalf before they know whether an accident victim is going to seek legal relief.

Due to their massive load and are so much larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Large truck accidents require a thorough understanding of concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, federal trucking regulations, medical and driving regulations. Our lawyers are able find any violations of these laws, and explain to the jury what led to your accident.

Multiple parties could be accountable for 18-wheeler truck crashes. 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 companies, owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have a wealth of resources available to them and can quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers to create a defense against accident victims. They start this process even before they know whether you will seek legal recourse. This is why it is vital to immediately hire a capable attorney who can match their resources and reduce them to size.

A lawyer with experience handling 18-wheeler collisions will ease your burden and help you get the compensation you're due. The money could be used to pay for expenses like steep medical bills car damage, lost wages due to missing work, and other injuries like suffering and pain.

norwalk 18 wheeler Accident attorney-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to keep accurate logs and perform the necessary maintenance could lead to disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous substances, that require specialized training and a license. The material is explosive, Going in Vimeo flammable or poisonous, all of which pose significant risks to other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also cause a devastating accident.

A qualified west virginia 18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler crash lawyer can determine the precise causes of your accident and hold liable any parties that are accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company or the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.