What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents that involve 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.

Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently press their drivers to complete longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead to catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to be aware of the weight restrictions for semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by most states. Weigh stations are prevalent on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker gets found to be in violation of these limits, they may be fined or even jailed based on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups have a greater limit of weight since the vehicle is safer when the weight is spread across multiple axles. This also permits the transport of more cargo. For instance a single tire on an axle can be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter but when there are 2 tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. In addition, lawyers many states require the fifth wheel to be installed on the trailer which is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are offered. They all have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to limitations on lane width truck drivers must follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to drive at the same speed as cars used by passengers. If they do, accidents can occur. In most cases, the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving for longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations, lawyers or being distracted or sleepy behind the driving.

Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers aren't permitted to drive in the left or right. Trucks are slower to brake than passenger cars. This can be a very risky situation, especially for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states prohibit the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while others restrict it to large trucks. In certain instances, these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, whereas in others they may be based on vehicle description or directions.

Even if there's no state-wide law regarding lane restrictions you should still be aware of local rules and follow them. You should also shift to the left if you spot trucks in the passing lane in order to not block faster cars from overtaking you.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have a wealth of resources available to force accident victims to accept less than they deserve. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and even engineers who work on their behalf before they know whether the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage because they are able to carry heavy loads and are so large when compared to passenger cars. This is particularly the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complex concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations, medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers are able to discover violations of these laws, and then show the jury how they contributed to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the negligent or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they are liable for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies and owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that might have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

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

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can relieve the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your hands and focus on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. This money can be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and other non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

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

Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous materials, that require special training and licensing. These materials may be explosive or flammable, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other drivers on American highways. A fatal accident could occur if the load is not properly labelled and secured.

A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney will determine the exact cause and blame any parties that may be responsible. These may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is known as vicarious liability.