What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents caused by commercial truck drivers their rigs, and magee 18 wheeler accident attorney wheelers are covered under the law governing 18 wheelers. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

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

Weight Regulations

It is crucial to know the weight limitations for semi-trucks. The majority of states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be observed. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed in order to verify that they are not exceeding the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found to be in violation of these restrictions, Greenacres 18 wheeler accident law firm they could be penalized or even jailed based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.

Axle groups have a greater weight limit because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread across more axles. This also allows for the transport of more cargo. A single tire on an wheel can only be weighed up to 665 pounds per inch however, when two tires are mounted on the same axle, they can be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, while other states only permit twin or triple trailers. Furthermore, many states require five wheels on the trailer, which is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors and sleeper cabs are offered. They all have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to the lane restrictions Truck drivers must also follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and even if they do, they could cause accidents. In many instances, it's the driver of the truck at fault. This is because truck drivers often drive longer than they are allowed to or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or become sleepy or distracted behind the vehicle.

Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left lane. Trucks brake more slowly than cars for passenger use. This could be a risky problem, especially for people in smaller cars who may be stuck behind the truck when it slows or stops abruptly.

There are some states that specifically target large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane. However, others only restrict the usage of the lane in specific circumstances. In some cases, these laws are built around axel and weight limits, whereas in others they may be based on the description of the vehicle or direction signs.

Even if there isn't a statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still check the local rules and observe the rules. Also, you should move to the right when you spot a truck in the passing lane so that it does not hinder faster cars from approaching you.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler businesses have an array of resources they can use in order to force victims of accidents to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers working on their behalf even before they know if the victim of an accident is going to seek legal relief.

Because they carry huge loads and are much larger than passenger vehicles, greenacres 18 wheeler accident Law firm wheelers often cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

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

18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligence or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the accountable parties and ensure they pay their fair part of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking companies, owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also study the weather conditions that could have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can put together large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know if you'll be seeking legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and reducing them in size.

An experienced 18 wheeler crash lawyer can take the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your hands and concentrate on securing the compensation you are entitled to. The money could be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and other damages that are not economic such as suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep detailed records can result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous substances, which require special training and licenses. These materials can be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a risk to other motorists on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also result in a fatal accident.

A qualified 18 wheeler crash lawyer can determine the exact cause of your accident and liable for any party who could be accountable. This could include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.