What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law deals with accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often make their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can lead to catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. 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 they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker gets caught violating these limitations they could be penalized or even jailed based on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher weight limit because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread across more axles. This also allows for the transport of more cargo. For instance a single tire on an axle can weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are two tires on the same axle it can be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.

There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, and others only permit triple or twin trailers. Many states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a piece of metal that sits over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both have a sleeping space in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to limitations on lane width, truck drivers must also follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers, and even if they do, they might cause accidents. In many cases, it's the truck driver that is the one to blame. This is due to truck drivers being able to drive longer than they are allowed to or break the rules of hours-of-service, or be distracted or sleepy behind the driving.

Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left right lane. This is because it takes a lot longer for trucks to brake than passenger vehicles. This could create a risky situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states specifically exempt big trucks and block them from using the left lane. However, other states limit the use of the lane under specific circumstances. These laws can be based on weight or axel limits. In other situations they may be based solely on vehicle description.

Even if there's no state-wide law governing lane restrictions, you should still check the local rules and observe them. You should also move over to the right side if you see trucks passing in the lane in order to not hinder faster vehicles from passing you.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have a wealth of resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents into accepting less than they deserve. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who represent them before they even know if the victim of an accident will take legal action.

Because they are able to carry enormous loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage in accidents. This is particularly relevant when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is important to have a seasoned attorney defend your rights and recovery against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry and federal regulations for trucking and medicine, driving standards, and envtox.snu.ac.kr other related areas. Our lawyers are able to uncover violations of these laws, and then show the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for truck accidents involving 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheelers. Our NY 18-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 owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can put together large teams of adjusters, lawyers, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know if you intend to pursue legal recourse. That is why it is essential to get an experienced attorney who will match their resources and reduce them to size.

An attorney who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions can relieve you of the burden and help you obtain the compensation you're entitled to. This money can be used to pay medical costs, vehicle damage loss of income due to missed work as well as other non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain detailed logs can lead to tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers can be used to transport hazardous materials which require special training and licensing. These materials can be explosive or flammable or radiological, as well as poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other drivers on American highways. An accident that is catastrophic could happen if the load is not properly labeled and secured.

A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact cause of your accident and hold liable any parties who are 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 referred to as vicarious responsibility.