What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law protects against accidents that involve commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently press their drivers to complete longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents involving trucks to be devastating.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits of semi-trucks is crucial. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are set by the majority of states. Weigh stations are prevalent on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker gets found to be in violation of these restrictions, they may be fined or even imprisoned based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.

Axle groups have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows more cargo to be transported. For example one tire on an axle can be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter but when there are 2 tires on the same axle it could be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a piece of metal that sits above the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs that incorporate a sleeping area into the tractor unit and are specifically designed for over the road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to traffic rules and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks aren't permitted to operate at the same speed as cars used by passengers. If they do, accidents can occur. In most instances, it is the driver of the truck at fault. This is because truck drivers often drive for longer than allowed and break hours-of service rules or get sleepy or distracted behind the driving.

Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left or right. This is because it takes much longer for trucks to brake than cars. This can pose a danger problem, especially for people with smaller cars who could be stuck behind a truck when it slows or stops suddenly.

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

Even if there's no state-wide law governing lane restrictions, you must still review the local rules and follow the rules. You should also move over to the right side if you see trucks in the passing lane, so that it does not block faster cars from overtaking you.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking companies have an array of resources they can make use of to force accident victims into accepting less than they're entitled. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts that work for their clients even before they know whether the victim of the accident will pursue legal recourse.

Due to their massive load and are so much larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause massive injuries and Vimeo property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly the case when they collide with motor vehicles. It is vital to hire a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, vimeo huge corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts that are derived from physics, chemistry, biology as well as federal trucking regulations medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers can find any violations of these laws and explain to the jury what caused your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties responsible and ensure that they are held accountable for your present and future costs. This includes trucking firms as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze the weather conditions that may have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of resources available and can quickly send teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers to create a defense against accident victims. They start this process even before they are aware of whether you'll be seeking legal recourse. This is why it is crucial to hire an experienced attorney who will match their resources and cut them to size.

An attorney who has expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents will ease your burden and help you obtain the compensation you're due. This money can cover costs like steep medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages due to missing work, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles and require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to keep accurate documents and carry out this maintenance can cause catastrophe-causing accidents.

Tractor-trailers can be used for transporting hazardous materials, that require special training and licenses. The material may be flammable, explosive, radiological, or toxic, all of which can pose serious dangers to other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also result in a fatal accident.

A reputable 18 wheeler accident lawyer will determine the exact reason for your accident and hold any responsible parties that are accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, Vimeo the trucking firm or the owner of the trailer as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.