What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law deals with accidents that involve commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance security, safety, and training.

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

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight restrictions for semi-trucks. Most states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be observed. It is typical to see weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed to confirm that they are not exceeding the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught in violation of these limits they could face fines and even sent to jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are granted a higher limit because distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows for more cargo to be carried. A single tire on an wheel can only weigh up to 700 pounds per inch, but when two tires are mounted on the same axle, it could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, whereas others only permit triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are readily available. They all have a sleeping space inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must obey traffic rules and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as vehicles for firm passengers and, when they do, they could cause accidents. In many cases the truck driver is the one at fault in these accidents. This is because truck drivers often drive longer than the limit, break hours-of-service rules, or be distracted or sleepy behind the steering wheel.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers are not permitted to drive in the left lane. This is because it takes much longer for trucks to stop than passenger vehicles. This can pose a danger issue, especially for those in smaller cars who may be stuck behind a truck when it slows or stops suddenly.

Some states specifically target large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, and others limit the usage of the lane in specific circumstances. These laws can be based either on weight or axel limits. In other instances, they could be solely based on the vehicle description.

Even if there is no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules about the lane restriction and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the left when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The georgetown 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheeler and trucking firms have a wealth of resources to make use of to force accident victims to accept less than they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who represent them before they even know if the accident victim will pursue legal action.

Due to their massive load and are much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics as well as federal trucking regulations medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers have the experience to identify violations of these laws and explain to the jury how they contributed to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligent or reckless actions of several parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties responsible and ensure that they are held accountable for your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking firms, owners, maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that could have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of options available and are able to quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, firm lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers to build a defense against accident victims. They start this process even before they are aware of whether you'll seek legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and helping them decrease in size.

A lawyer with experience handling bay harbor islands 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheeler collisions can relieve you of the burden and help you receive the compensation you're due. This can be used to cover expenses like steep medical bills or vehicle damage, lost wages due to missing work, and other damages such as pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to maintain detailed logs and perform the necessary maintenance can cause devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous materials that require special training and licensing. These materials could be explosive or flammable and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other drivers on American highways. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the load was not properly labeled and secured.

A trained 18 wheeler crash lawyer will determine the exact cause of your crash and liable for any party who could be accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm and the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.