What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
Accidents with commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered by the law governing
18 wheeler accident lawsuits wheelers. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.
Unfortunately, trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead to devastating trucking accidents.
Weight Regulations
It is essential to understand the weight limits for semi trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. Weigh stations are common on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they do not over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is discovered to be violating these limits, they could be penalized or even imprisoned based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.
Axle groups have a greater limit on weight because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread across more axles. This also permits the transport of larger cargo. A single tire on a wheel can only be weighed up to 700 pounds per inch, however, when two tires are on the same axle, it could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.
There are limitations on the kinds of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while others allow triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a piece of metal that sits above the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate a sleeping area into the tractor unit. They are made to haul over the road.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to the lane restrictions Truck drivers must also be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to drive at the same speeds as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents may occur. In most cases, it's the truck driver who is responsible. This is because truck drivers often drive longer than the limit and break hours-of service rules or become sleepy or distracted behind the vehicle.
Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left right lane. This is due to the fact that trucks take longer trucks to brake than cars. This can be a dangerous issue, particularly for those who drive smaller vehicles and may be stuck behind a truck if it suddenly stops or slows down.
There are states that specifically exclude large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane, whereas other states limit the use of the lane in specific circumstances. These laws may be based on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other instances they may be based solely on vehicle description.
Even if there's no law that is statewide that you can follow, you should be aware of local regulations regarding the lane restrictions and adhere to them. You should also shift to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.
Ownership
Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have a wealth of resources to force victims of accidents into accepting far less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who work on their behalf before they even know whether the victim of the accident will take legal action.
In the event of an accident,
18 wheeler accident-wheelers are often responsible for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage due to the fact that they are able to carry heavy loads and are so large relative to passenger vehicles. This is particularly so when they are involved in collisions with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.
Large vehicle accidents require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology as well as federal regulations for trucking and medical practices, driving regulations and other related areas. Our lawyers have the knowledge to uncover violations of these laws, and
18 wheeler accidents then show the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.
Multiple parties can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY attorney for
18 wheeler accidents will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair share of your current and
18 wheeler accidents anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies and owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies are able to provide large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They begin the process before they know whether you will to seek legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and reducing them in size.
A lawyer with expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents will relieve you of the burden and help you receive the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damages and lost income due to missed work and other damages that are not economic like pain and suffering.
18 wheelers are highly complex vehicles and require high-end, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and maintain accurate records can result in catastrophic accidents.
Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. These materials could be explosive or flammable or radiological, as well as poisonous. They all pose a major danger to other drivers on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could cause a devastating accident.
A skilled 18-wheeler crash lawyer can determine the causes and blame any other parties that may be responsible. 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 known as vicarious liability.