What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheeler accident attorney wheelers are covered under the 18 wheeler law. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often make their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can result in catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. Most states have both single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. Weigh stations are common along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be fined, or 18 wheeler accident lawyer even imprisoned, based on the state of their residence and criminal record.

Axle groups are able to have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel can only weigh up to 665 pounds per inch however, if two tires are mounted on the same axle, they can be weighed as high as 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 allow triple or twin trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that sits over the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs which include an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed to be used for hauling over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks aren't permitted to drive at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents may occur. In a lot of instances, it is the truck driver who is responsible. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are permitted to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations and/or being distracted or sleepy behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left lane. Trucks brake much slower than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This could create a risky situation, especially for smaller vehicles that could be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

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

Even if there's no statewide law governing lane restrictions, you should still look over the local rules and observe them. It is also recommended to move to the left when you see a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler businesses have many resources they can use in order to force accident victims to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, engineers, and experts working on their behalf, even before they know whether an accident victim is going to seek legal relief.

Because they carry huge loads and are much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology and federal regulations for trucking and medicine, driving standards, and 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer other related areas. Our lawyers are able to identify any violations of these laws and present to the jury the circumstances that caused your accident.

Many parties could be at fault for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all liable parties and make sure they pay their fair share of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking firms and owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate the weather conditions that could be a factor in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can provide large teams of lawyers, adjusters, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know whether you will seek legal recourse. This is why it is crucial to hire an experienced attorney who can match their resources and bring them down to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler crash lawyer will relieve the burden of dealing with these corporations off your hands and focus on getting you the compensation you are entitled to. This money can be used to pay medical costs, vehicle damage loss of income due to missed work and other non-economic losses such as suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are a complex vehicle that require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and maintain accurate records could lead to tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials that requires specialized training and specialized licensing to transport. This material can be flammable, explosive, radiological, or toxic, all of which can pose serious dangers to other drivers on American roads. A catastrophic accident could also occur if the load was not properly labeled and secured.

A qualified crowley 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler crash attorney can determine the exact cause and blame the parties that may be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company, the owner or the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.