What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law regulates 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 alter logbooks. This can lead accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limitations of semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by most states. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver gets found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be penalized or even imprisoned, based on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups are able to have a higher limit because distributing the weight over a wider range of axles makes the vehicle safer and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel can only be weighed up to 700 pounds per inch, however, if two tires are on the same axle, they can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.

There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer while some states allow twin or triple trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate that 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 and are designed to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to traffic rules and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and if they do, they may cause accidents. In many instances, it's the driver of the truck that is the one to blame. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive longer than they are allowed to or break the rules of hours-of-service, or become sleepy or distracted behind the driving.

Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left side of the lane. Trucks brake much slower than cars for passenger use. This can pose a danger problem, especially for people with smaller cars who could be stuck behind a truck if it stops abruptly or slows down.

Certain states prohibit the use of lanes in specific circumstances, and some restrict it for big trucks. These laws could be based on weight or axel limits. In other instances they could be based solely on vehicle's description.

Even if there is no law that is statewide however, 18 wheeler accident Lawsuits you must check local rules about the lane restrictions and adhere to the rules. It is also recommended to move to the right when you spot trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have a vast array of resources available to pressure accident victims into accepting less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts that work on their behalf before they know whether the victim of an accident will seek legal remedy.

In the event of an accident, 18-wheelers are often responsible for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage because they are able to carry heavy load and are so massive compared to passenger vehicles. This is particularly the case when they collide into other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a seasoned attorney fight for your rights and recovery against these powerful, massive corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry as well as federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving, and other related areas. Our lawyers are able to identify violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury why it led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the careless or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all responsible parties and ensure they pay their fair part of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking companies, owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that could have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

The trucking industry has a wealth of resources available to them and can quickly send teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers, engineers, and experts to help defend accident victims. They begin this process before they even decide if you will to seek legal recourse. This is why it is vital to immediately hire an experienced attorney who will match their resources and cut them to size.

A lawyer with expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents can ease the burden and help you receive the compensation you're due. This can be used to cover expenses such as medical bills that are costly or vehicle damage, lost wages from missing work, and also non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18 wheeler accidents wheelers are extremely complex vehicles and require high-end, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and perform this maintenance can lead to disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials that requires specialized training and specialized licenses to transport. These materials can be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a serious danger to other drivers on American highways. A catastrophic accident could also happen if the load is not properly labelled and secured.

A qualified 18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler crash lawyer can pinpoint the exact cause of your accident and hold any responsible parties who may be responsible. These may include the driver of the truck as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is known as vicarious liability.