What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents with commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 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 often press their drivers to complete longer hours and alter log books. This can cause catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to understand the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are set by the majority of states. Weigh stations are commonplace on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even put in jail depending on their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups are given a higher limit as distributing the weight across multiple axles is safer for the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on an wheel can only be weighed up to 665 pounds per inch however, when two tires are on the same axle, they can be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, while others only allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, some states require a fifth wheel on the trailer which is a circular plate over the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both have sleeping spaces in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to restrictions on lane usage truck drivers must adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks cannot operate at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents are likely to occur. In many instances, it's the driver of the truck at fault. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are entitled to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations, or being distracted or asleep behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also prohibited from driving in the left the lane. This is because it takes much longer for trucks to brake than passenger vehicles. This can be a dangerous issue, especially for those who drive smaller vehicles and may be stuck behind trucks when it slows or stops suddenly.

Certain states restrict the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while some states limit it for large trucks. These laws may be based either on axel or weight limits. In other cases, they could be solely based on the vehicle's description.

Although there's no statewide law on lane restrictions, you should still look over the local rules and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have huge resources available to pressure accident victims to accept a lesser amount than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers, engineers, and experts working for their clients even before they know whether the victim of an accident will pursue legal recourse.

Because they can carry massive loads and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause massive injuries and property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a skilled attorney defend your rights and recoveries against these powerful, massive corporations.

Large truck accidents require a thorough understanding of concepts from the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and federal trucking regulations, medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers have the experience to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

London 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the negligence or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY attorney for accidents involving chicago 18 wheeler accident attorney wheels will investigate all accountable parties and ensure they are liable for their fair share of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking firms, owners as well as maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that could have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can provide large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They start this process even before they know if you'll be seeking legal recourse. That is why it is essential to get an experienced attorney who will match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can take the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on securing the compensation you are entitled to. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work, and other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are a complex vehicle that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to keep accurate logs and perform the necessary maintenance can lead to catastrophe-causing accidents.

Tractor-trailers often are used to transport hazardous substances, that require specialized training and a license. These materials may be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a major risk to other motorists on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.

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