What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheeler accident lawyer wheelers are covered by the law of 18 wheels. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently press their drivers to complete longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead to devastating trucking crashes.

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. It is common to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed in order to verify that they aren't exceeding the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found violating these limits and is fined, they could be penalized or even imprisoned subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups have a higher limit on weight because the vehicle is safer when the weight is spread over a wider range of axles. This also allows for the transport of larger cargo. For instance a single tire mounted on an axle can weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are two tires on the same axle, it could be measured at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states permit only one trailer, while other states allow twin or triple trailers. Many states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that sits above the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractor and sleeper cabs, which incorporate sleeping areas inside the tractor unit and are designed to be used for hauling over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must obey traffic rules and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not allowed to drive at the same speed as cars for passengers. If they do, accidents may occur. In many instances, it's the truck driver that is the one to blame. Truck drivers might be driving for longer than they are entitled to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or simply being distracted or sleepy behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left the lane. This is because trucks take a lot longer trucks to stop than cars. This can be a dangerous issue, particularly for those in cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind the truck when it stops abruptly or slows down.

Certain states restrict the use of lanes in specific situations, while other states restrict it for big trucks. In certain cases these laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, while in others, they may be based upon vehicle description or direction signs.

Even if there is no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules regarding lane restrictions and follow the rules. It is also recommended to move to the left if you see a truck in the pass lane, so that it does not block faster cars from overtaking you.

Ownership

Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have a wealth of resources at their disposal to pressure accident victims to accept a lesser amount than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers that work for their clients even before they know whether an accident victim will pursue legal recourse.

Because they are able to carry enormous loads and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause massive injuries and property damage in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is important to have experienced lawyers defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, massive corporations.

Large vehicle accidents require an understanding of the most complex 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 lawyers have the knowledge to find violations of these laws and explain to the jury why it led to your accident.

There are many parties that can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck crashes. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair portion of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also study the weather conditions that could have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of options available and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers to create a defense against the victims of accidents. They start the process before they know whether you will to pursue legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who can match their resources and reducing them in size.

A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer will help you deal with these big corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on getting you the compensation you are entitled to. This can be used to cover expenses such as medical bills that are costly car damage, loss of wages due to absence from work, and also non-economic injuries like pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain accurate records can result in tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material that requires specialized training and special licensing for transport. The material could be explosive, flammable, radiological or poisonous, all of which pose significant risks to other drivers on American roads. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the load is not properly labeled and secured.

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