What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the 18 wheeler law. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can lead accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are set by the majority of states. Weigh stations are common 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 breaking these limits, they could be fined and even sent to jail according to their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups are granted a higher limit because distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows more cargo to be transported. For example, a single tire on an axle can be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are two tires on that same axle it can be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, while other states only permit twin or triple trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are available. They both come with a sleeping area in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to limitations on lane width truck drivers must adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and, if they do, they can cause accidents. In many cases, the driver of the truck is at fault 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 vehicle.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left lane. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than passenger cars. This can be a very risky situation, especially for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

Some states restrict the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict it for big trucks. These laws can be based either on weight or axel limits. In other cases, they could be based solely on the vehicle's description.

Even if there's no statewide law it is important to check local rules on the lane restriction and adhere to them. It is also recommended to move to the right when you spot trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The trucking and 18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler businesses have an abundance of resources to employ to pressure victims of accidents to accept less than they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, engineers, and experts that work on their behalf even before they know if an accident victim is going to seek legal relief.

Because they can carry massive loads and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause catastrophic injuries and accident enormous property damage 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 large, powerful corporations.

Large truck accidents require a thorough understanding of concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers have the knowledge to uncover violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck crashes. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure that they pay their fair share of your current and expected costs. This includes trucking companies and owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can send large teams of adjusters, lawyers, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they even know if you intend to pursue legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who can match their resources and helping them decrease in size.

An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer can alleviate the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you deserve. This money can be used to pay medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work as well as other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep detailed records can result in devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers can be used to transport hazardous materials which require specialized training and certification. These materials can be explosive or flammable or radiological, as well as poisonous. They all pose a risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also cause a devastating accident.

A competent attorney for 18-wheelers can determine the cause of the accident and pinpoint any individuals who could be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm, the owner or the trailer, as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.