What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law deals with accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles must be subject to strict federal guidelines for maintenance security, safety, and training.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause trucking accidents to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to be aware of the weight limitations for semi-trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be observed. Weigh stations are prevalent along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits they could face fines and even sentenced to jail depending on their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are able to have a higher limit as distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be transported. A single tire on an wheel can only be weighed up to 650 pounds per inch, however, when two tires are mounted on the same axle, they can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the kinds of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states permit only one trailer, while other states allow twin or triple trailers. In addition, many states require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a round plate above the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate sleeping areas inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to the lane restrictions truck drivers also must follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and even if they do, they could cause accidents. In many instances the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive for longer than allowed or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or become sleepy or distracted behind the wheel.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left the lane. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than cars for passenger use. This can be a dangerous issue, particularly for those with smaller cars who could be stranded behind the truck when it suddenly stops or slows down.

There are states that specifically exempt big trucks and block them from using the left lane, and others only restrict the use of the lane only in specific situations. These laws may be based on weight or axel limits. In other situations they may be based solely on the vehicle's description.

Even if there is no statewide law, you should check local rules about limitations on lane usage and follow them. Also, you should move to the right if you spot trucks passing in the lane so that it does not block faster cars from approaching you.

Ownership

The trucking and 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheeler companies have a wealth of resources to employ to pressure victims of accidents to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who act on their behalf before they even know whether the victim of the accident will take legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for severe injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such heavy loads and are incredibly large in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is especially true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to find a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large truck accidents require a deep understanding of concepts that are derived from biology, 18 wheeler accident chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations medical regulations, and driving rules. Our attorneys are able to uncover any violations of these laws and then show the jury the factors that caused your accident.

Many parties could be at fault for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure they are paid their fair share of your current and expected costs. This includes trucking firms, owners of maintenance contractors, even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can send large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They start the process before they know whether you are going to pursue legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.

A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer can take the burden of dealing with these corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on getting you the compensation you deserve. This money can be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damages, lost income from missed work as well as other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and maintain accurate records could lead to disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. The material could be explosive, flammable, or poisonous, all of which present significant dangers to other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could cause a devastating accident.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash lawyer can determine the precise causes of your accident and liable for any party who are responsible. These may include the truck driver as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.