What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

Unfortunately, trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead to catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Most states have both single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker gets caught violating these limitations they could be penalized or 18 wheeler accidents even jailed based on the location and criminal record.

Axle groups are granted an increased limit because spreading the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel can only weigh up to 650 pounds per inch, but when two tires are on the same axle, they can be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while others permit triple or twin trailers. Many states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate which sits above the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are available. They both come with a sleeping space inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and should they do, they may cause accidents. In many cases, it is the driver of the truck who is at fault. Truck drivers may be driving for longer than they are entitled to, breaking hours-of-service regulations and/or being distracted or asleep behind the driving.

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 serious issue, particularly for those in smaller cars who may be stranded behind a truck when it slows or stops suddenly.

Some states restrict the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. These laws could be based either on axel or weight limits. In other instances they may be solely based on vehicle's description.

Even if there is no statewide law it is important to check local rules regarding lane restrictions and follow them. You should also move over to the right side if you spot a truck in the pass lane to ensure that it does not hinder faster vehicles from taking over.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have an abundance of resources to use in order to force accident victims to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who advocate on their behalf before they know if the victim of the accident will take legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers are usually responsible for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage due to the fact that they carry such hefty loads and are incredibly large in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is particularly so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complex concepts that are derived from biology, chemistry and physics and federal trucking regulations, medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers have the experience to identify violations of these laws and show the jury how they contributed to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the careless or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they are liable for their fair share of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking firms owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that might have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to deploy large teams of adjusters, 18 wheeler accidents lawyers engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know if you'll seek legal recourse. This is why it's essential to get an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and bring them down to size.

A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer will alleviate the burden of dealing with these corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. This money can be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damages and lost income due to missed work and other non-economic losses like pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are a complex vehicle which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to maintain detailed records and perform this maintenance can lead to catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials that requires specialized training and specialized certification to transport. They can be flammable or explosive or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a major risk to other drivers on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also result in a catastrophic accident.

A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer will determine the exact cause of your accident and hold any responsible parties who could be accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm or the owner of the trailer, as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.