What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law covers accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often require their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can lead to catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to understand the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. It is common to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed to ensure that they are not exceeding the maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a truck driver gets caught violating these limitations they could be fined or even jailed based on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups have a greater limit of weight since the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed over a wider range of axles. This also allows for the transport of more cargo. A single tire on a wheel can only be weighed up to 650 pounds per inch, but when two tires are on the same axle, they could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while others permit triple or twin trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that sits above the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs can be found. They all have sleeping spaces inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and, even if they do, they could cause accidents. In a lot of cases the truck driver is the culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers may be driving longer than they are entitled to, violating hours-of-service rules or simply being distracted or sleepy behind the steering wheel.

Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left lane. This is due to the fact that trucks take longer trucks to stop than passenger vehicles. This could result in a risky situation, particularly for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

There are some states that specifically exclude large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, whereas others only restrict the usage of the lane in certain circumstances. In some cases these laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, whereas in other they could be based on the description of the vehicle or direction signs.

Even if there is no statewide law it is important to check local rules about the lane restrictions and adhere to them. Also, you should move to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have a vast array of resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents to accept a lesser amount than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers who advocate for their clients even before they know if the victim of the accident will seek legal remedy.

Due to their massive load and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an an experienced attorney defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, massive corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complex concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers have the knowledge to uncover violations of these laws and show the jury how it led to your accident.

18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the negligence or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties responsible and ensure that they pay their fair share for your present and future costs. This includes trucking companies and owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate the weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can deploy large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know 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 reduce them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can relieve the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. This money can be used to cover medical expenses, vehicle damage as well as lost income from missing work and other damages that are not economic such as pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are complex vehicles and require high-end, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to keep accurate records and to perform maintenance can lead to catastrophe-causing accidents.

Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous substances, which require specialized training and a license. These materials may be flammable or explosive, accident radiological or poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other drivers on American highways. A fatal accident could occur if the load is not properly labeled and secured.

A reputable 18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler crash lawyer can determine the exact causes of your accident and hold accountable any other parties who are responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company as well as the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.