What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 Wheeler Accident lawyers wheeler law covers accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can result in catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to understand the weight limitations for semi-trucks. The majority of states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be observed. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed in order to verify that they do not exceed maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a truck driver is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be fined, or even jailed based on the location and criminal record.

Axle groups are granted a higher limit as distributing the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows more cargo to be transported. A single tire on an wheel can only weigh up to 650 pounds per inch, however, when two tires are on the same axle, it could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. Some states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate which sits over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are readily available. They both come with sleeping spaces in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to restrictions on lane usage truck drivers also must follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks are not allowed to drive at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents are likely to occur. In a lot of instances, it is the driver of the truck who is responsible. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can be driving for longer than is permitted or break the rules of hours-of-service, or become tired or distracted behind the vehicle.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left right lane. Trucks brake much slower than passenger cars. This could be a risky situation, especially for 18 Wheeler accident Lawyers smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states prohibit the use of lane lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict it to large trucks. In some cases, these laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, whereas in others they could be based on vehicle descriptions or direction signs.

Although there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still look over the local rules and abide by the rules. It is also recommended to move to the right when you notice trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

Companies that operate 18 wheeler accident law firm wheelers and trucks have massive resources to force accident victims to accept less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who advocate on their behalf before they know whether the victim of an accident will take legal action.

Because they are able to carry enormous 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 particularly relevant when these trucks collide into other motor vehicles. It is essential to have an an experienced attorney defend your rights and recoveries against these powerful, massive corporations.

Large-scale accidents require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology as well as federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and other related areas. Our lawyers are able identify any violations of these laws and then show the jury the factors that led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the negligent or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all liable parties and make sure they are paid their fair portion of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners and maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of resources available and can quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts to develop a strategy for defense against the victims of accidents. They begin this process before they are aware of whether you'll be seeking legal recourse. This is why it is so important to immediately retain an experienced attorney who will match their resources and bring them down to size.

An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer can alleviate the burden of dealing with these corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. This money can be used to pay medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work as well as other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to keep detailed logs and perform the necessary maintenance could lead to disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material, which requires special training and specialized certification to transport. They can be explosive or flammable and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also cause a devastating accident.

A qualified 18 wheeler accident lawyers-wheeler crash attorney can determine the cause and blame any individuals accountable. These could include the driver of the truck as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.