What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law deals with 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.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. The majority of states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be adhered to. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed to confirm that they do not exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a truck driver gets caught violating these limitations they may be fined or even jailed based on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups are able to have a higher limit because distributing the weight over a wider range of axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be transported. For instance a single tire on an axle can be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are two tires on the same axle, it can be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer while some states allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, some states require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a round plate above the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs that incorporate an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit. They are designed to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions, truck drivers must also comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't able to travel at the same speed as cars, and if they do, they might cause accidents. In many instances the truck driver is the one at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are allowed to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations, or being tired or distracted behind the wheel.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers aren't permitted to drive in the left lane. Trucks brake more slowly than passenger cars. This could create a dangerous situation, particularly for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Some states restrict the use of lane lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. These laws could be based on weight or axel limits. In other cases, they could be based solely on vehicle description.

Even if there isn't a statewide law on lane restrictions, you must still review the local rules and observe the rules. You should also shift to the right side if you see trucks in the passing lane in order to not hinder faster cars from passing you.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking companies have an abundance of resources to use in order to force accident victims into accepting less than what they're entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers who work on their behalf before they know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal recourse.

Because they can carry massive loads and are much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage in accidents. This is especially true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology, federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and other related areas. Our lawyers have the experience to find violations of these laws and explain to the jury how it led to your accident.

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

Insurance

Trucking companies can send large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They start the process before they know if you intend to seek legal recourse. That is why it is essential to get an experienced attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.

A lawyer who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions will relieve you of the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you're due. The money will cover costs like steep medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as loss of wages due to absence from work, as well as non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

18 wheeler accident attorney wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and maintain accurate logs can lead to disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous materials that require specialized training and a license. The material is explosive, flammable, radiological or toxic, all of which can pose serious dangers to other drivers on American roads. A serious accident can also occur if the load is not properly labeled and secured.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash lawyer can determine the exact cause of your accident and hold liable any parties who may be responsible. These may include the truck driver, chunwun.com the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.