What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered under the 18 wheeler law. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.

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

Weight Regulations

Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. There are numerous weigh stations on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be fined, or even imprisoned based on the state and their criminal record.

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

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, and others only permit twin or triple trailers. Some states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, attorneys which is a plate which sits over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs, which incorporate a sleeping area into the tractor unit and are designed for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to restrictions on lane usage truck drivers must be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, should they do, they might cause accidents. In most cases, the driver of the truck is the one at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are allowed to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations, or being distracted or asleep behind the wheel.

Another important limitation on lane is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left lane. Trucks brake more slowly than cars for passenger use. This could be a dangerous situation, especially for cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states restrict the use of lanes in specific circumstances, while others restrict it for big trucks. These laws can be based on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other instances, they could be solely based on vehicle's description.

Even if there's no law that is statewide, you should check local rules on lane restrictions and follow the rules. Also, you should move to the right when you spot a truck in the passing lane to ensure that it does not hinder faster vehicles from passing you.

Ownership

Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have massive resources to force victims of accidents to accept a lesser amount than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who represent them before they even know if the victim of the accident will take legal action.

Because they can carry massive loads and are larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an an experienced attorney defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, large corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry, federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving, and other related fields. Our attorneys have the expertise to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury how they contributed to your accident.

18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the negligent or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure they are liable for their fair share of your current and expected expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies as well as maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have vast resources at their disposal and can swiftly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers to create a defense against the victims of accidents. They begin the process before they know if you intend to seek legal recourse. That is why it is essential to get a capable attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.

A lawyer who has expertise in dealing with 18-wheeler accidents will relieve you of the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you're due. This money can be used to pay for medical costs, vehicle damage as well as lost income from missing work, and other non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles and require a high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and to perform maintenance can cause disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized licensing to transport. This material can be explosive, flammable, radiological, or poisonous, and all of these can pose serious dangers for other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also result in a fatal accident.

A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can determine the cause and blame any individuals accountable. This could include the driver of the truck and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is known as vicarious liability.