What Is 18 wheeler accidents Wheeler Law?

Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheeler accident law firm wheelers are covered by the law of 18 wheels. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits of semi trucks is vital. The majority of 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 in order to confirm that they do not exceed maximum weight limit for their vehicle and a cool way to improve load. If a truck driver gets found to be in violation of these limits, they could be fined or even jailed depending on the state of their residence and criminal record.

Axle groups are granted a higher limit as distributing the weight across multiple axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be carried. For instance a single tire on an axle may be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.

There are also 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. Additionally, a lot of states require fifth wheels on the trailer, which is a round plate above the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractor and sleeper cabs that have a sleeping area into the tractor unit and are specifically designed to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks are not allowed to travel at the same speed as cars for passengers. If they do, accidents are likely to occur. In many instances, the truck driver is the culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving for longer than they are permitted to, breaking hours-of-service regulations, or being asleep or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Another important limitation on lane is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left right lane. This is because trucks take a lot longer trucks to brake than passenger vehicles. This could result in a risky situation, especially for smaller vehicles that could get stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

There are states that specifically single out large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane. However, others only restrict the use of the lane only in specific circumstances. In certain instances these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, while in others they may be based upon vehicle description or direction signs.

Even if there's no law that is statewide however, you must check local rules regarding the lane restriction and adhere to them. Also, you should move to the right side if you spot trucks passing in the lane to ensure that it does not hinder cars approaching you.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler companies have an array of resources they can make use of to force victims of accidents to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who advocate on their behalf before they know if the accident victim will take legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are much bigger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage in accidents. This is particularly the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is important to hire an a skilled attorney fight for your rights and recovery against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complicated concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations, medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers are able discover any infringements of these laws and explain to the jury what caused your accident.

18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the negligence or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure they are liable for their fair portion of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners as well as maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that may have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can put together large teams of adjusters, lawyers, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they are aware of whether you will seek legal recourse. That 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 corporations off your shoulders and focus on obtaining the compensation you are entitled to. This money can be used to cover medical expenses, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work and other non-economic losses like suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are complex vehicles and require high-end, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to keep accurate documents and carry out this maintenance could lead to catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers often are used for transporting hazardous materials, which require specialized training and a license. The material is flammable, explosive, radiological, or toxic, all of which pose significant risks for other drivers on American roads. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured.

A qualified 18 wheeler accident lawyer will determine the exact cause of your crash and hold any responsible parties who could be accountable. This could include the truck driver as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is called vicarious liability.