What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents with commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the 18 wheeler law. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can lead to catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

It is crucial to know the weight limits for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by most states. Weigh stations are prevalent on interstates, where 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 and is found guilty, they may be fined or even imprisoned depending on their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups are granted a higher limit because distributing the weight over a wider range of axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows for more cargo to be carried. For example a single tire on an axle may be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on that same axle it could be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, whereas others only allow triple or twin trailers. Many states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate which sits over the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractor and sleeper cabs that have a sleeping area inside the tractor unit. They are designed for over the road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must obey traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and, even if they do, they may cause accidents. In many instances, it's the driver of the truck who is at fault. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations, or being asleep or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left or right. Trucks brake much slower than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a dangerous issue, particularly for those who drive smaller vehicles and may be stuck behind a truck when it suddenly stops or slows down.

Some states specifically exclude big trucks and block them from using the left lane. However, others only restrict the use of the lane only in specific situations. In certain cases, these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, whereas in other, they may be based on vehicle description or directions.

Even if there isn't a statewide law regarding lane restrictions you must still review the local rules and adhere to them. You should also move to the right when you notice trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheeler and trucking companies have a wealth of resources to use in order to force accident victims to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who represent them before they even know if the accident victim will take legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers are usually responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage because they carry such heavy loads and are huge in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is particularly the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics, federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers have the knowledge to find violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury how they contributed to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the negligent or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the liable parties and make sure they are paid their fair portion of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies as well as maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that could have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of resources available to them and can swiftly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, engineers, and experts to help defend accident victims. They begin this process before they are aware of whether you'll seek legal recourse. That's why it's crucial to hire a capable attorney who can match their resources and bring them down to size.

A lawyer who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions will relieve you of the burden and help you get the compensation you're entitled to. This money can be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damages as well as lost income from missing work, and other non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are highly complex vehicles and require high-end, lawsuit systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and maintain detailed records could result in tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers can be used to transport hazardous materials, which require special training and licensing. These materials may be explosive or flammable and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a danger to other drivers on American highways. A fatal accident could occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured.

A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will determine the exact cause and blame any parties that may be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck or the trucking company the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or lawsuit its components. This is called vicarious liability.