What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

robinson 18 wheeler accident attorney wheeler law deals with accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles must be subject to strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.

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

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight restrictions for semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by most states. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed in order to make sure they do not exceed the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a truck driver gets discovered to be violating these limits, they could be fined, or even imprisoned based on the location and criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher limit as distributing the weight over more axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows more cargo to be carried. For example a single tire mounted on an axle may be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are two tires on that same axle it could be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer while some states allow twin or triple trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer, which is a round plate that is above the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs can be found. They both include an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions, truck drivers must also follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't allowed to travel at the same speed as cars for passengers. If they do, accidents can occur. In many instances, it's the truck driver who is at fault. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations and/or being asleep or distracted behind the driving.

Another important limitation on lane is that truck drivers are not permitted to drive in the left side of the lane. Trucks are slower to brake than cars for passenger use. This could result in a dangerous situation, especially for cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

There are states that specifically exclude large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, and others limit the usage of the lane in specific circumstances. These laws could be based either on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other instances they could be solely based on vehicle description.

Even if there isn't a statewide law governing lane restrictions, you should still be aware of local rules and abide by them. You should also move to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler businesses have an abundance of resources to employ to pressure accident victims to accept less than they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers who advocate for their clients even before they know whether the victim of an accident will seek legal remedy.

In accidents 18-wheelers are frequently responsible for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage due to the fact that they are able to carry heavy loads and are huge compared to passenger vehicles. This is especially relevant when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is vital to hire an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and trucking regulations from the federal government as well as medical standards, driving, and other related areas. Our attorneys are able to identify any violations of these laws and show the jury what caused your accident.

lino lakes 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligence or reckless actions of several parties. Our NY Auburn 18 wheeler accident Law firm wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the accountable parties and ensure they are liable for their fair share of your current and expected expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies and maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze the weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to put together large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They begin the process before they decide if you will to pursue legal recourse. That's why it's so important to immediately retain a capable attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.

A lawyer who has expertise in dealing with 18-wheeler accidents can ease the burden and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work as well as other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are a complex vehicle and require high-end, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep detailed records could result in catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials, which requires special training and special licensing for transport. The material may be explosive, flammable, radiological or poisonous, and all of these 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 exact cause of your crash and hold any responsible parties who are responsible. This could 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.