What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

coconut creek 18 wheeler accident attorney wheeler law protects against accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents involving trucks to be devastating.

Weight Regulations

Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by the majority of states. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found breaking these limits they could face fines and even sent to jail depending on their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight across multiple axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be carried. For instance one tire on an axle can be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are 2 tires on the same axle, it can be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer which is a round plate above the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both have a sleeping space inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions truck drivers also must comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't allowed to travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents could occur. In a lot of cases, it's the driver of the truck who is responsible. Truck drivers may be driving longer than they are allowed to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations, or being tired or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left the lane. Trucks brake much slower than passenger cars. This can be a serious issue, especially for those with smaller cars who could be stranded behind the truck when it suddenly stops or slows down.

Some states restrict the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while others restrict it for large trucks. These laws can be based on weight or axel limits. In other instances they may be based solely on the vehicle's description.

Even if there's no state-wide law governing lane restrictions, you should still be aware of local rules and adhere to the rules. It is also recommended to move to the left when you see a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking companies have an abundance of resources to make use of to force accident victims into accepting less than they're entitled. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who work on their behalf before they know whether the accident victim will pursue legal action.

In accidents rye brook 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheelers are usually responsible for a number of serious injuries and property damage because they are able to carry heavy loads and are so large relative to passenger vehicles. This is especially the case when they collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry as well as federal regulations for trucking and medicine, driving standards and many other related fields. Our attorneys have the expertise to identify violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury how they contributed to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all accountable parties and ensure they pay their fair portion of your current and expected costs. This includes owners of trucking companies, trucking companies as well as maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to deploy large teams of adjusters, lawyers, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know if you will seek legal recourse. This is why it's crucial to hire an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer can alleviate the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're due. This money can be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damages, lost income from missed work and other damages that are not economic like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are a complex vehicle and require high-end, systematic maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep detailed records could lead to tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. These materials could be explosive or flammable, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a major risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. A catastrophic accident could also occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured.

A skilled 18-wheeler crash lawyer can pinpoint the exact cause of the accident and pinpoint any parties who are responsible. These may include the driver of the truck or the trucking company the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is known as vicarious liability.