What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law regulates accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause trucking accidents to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are set by the majority of states. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they do not exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught violating these limitations they may be fined or even jailed depending on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups are able to have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows for more cargo to be carried. 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 restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, and others only permit twin or triple trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer. It is a circular plate over the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs, which incorporate sleeping areas inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed to be used for hauling over the road.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions Truck drivers must also follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't allowed to travel at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents may occur. In a lot of cases the truck driver is at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are permitted to, violating hours-of-service rules and/or being distracted or sleepy behind the driving.

Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers aren't permitted to drive in the left right lane. This is because trucks take a lot longer trucks to brake than cars. This can be a dangerous problem, particularly for 18 wheeler accident those who drive smaller vehicles and may be stranded behind the truck when it slows or stops suddenly.

Certain states prohibit the use of lanes under certain situations, while other states restrict it for big trucks. In certain instances these laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, while in other, they may be based on the description of the vehicle or directions.

Even if there is no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules regarding limitations on lane usage and follow the rules. It is also recommended to move to the right when you notice a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have a vast array of resources available to force victims of accidents into accepting far 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 the accident is going to seek legal relief.

In accidents 18-wheelers can be blamed for severe injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such heavy loads and are huge in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is particularly relevant when these trucks are involved in collisions with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology as well as federal regulations for trucking and medicine, driving standards and many other related fields. Our attorneys are able to discover any infringements of these laws, and present to the jury the circumstances that caused your accident.

18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the negligent or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair part of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate the weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to put together large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, and experts quickly. They start this process even before they know if you'll seek legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and reducing them in size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can help you deal with these corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you are entitled to. The money could be used to pay for expenses such as high medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages due to missing work, and other damages such as suffering and pain.

18 wheeler accident attorneys wheelers are a complex vehicle and require high-end, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and perform this maintenance can result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials that requires specialized training and specialized licensing to transport. These materials can be explosive or flammable or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other drivers on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could cause a devastating accident.

A reputable 18 wheeler accident lawyer can determine the exact cause of your crash and hold accountable any other parties who are responsible. This could include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious responsibility.