What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler accident attorneys wheeler law protects against accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.
Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can lead accidents involving trucks to be devastating.
Weight Regulations
It is essential to understand the weight limits for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by most states. It is common to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed to confirm that they aren't exceeding the maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a truck driver is discovered to be violating these limits, they could be fined, or even imprisoned, based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.
Axle groups have a greater weight limit because the vehicle is safer when the weight is spread over more axles. This also allows for the carriage of more cargo. A single tire on an wheel can only be weighed up to 650 pounds per inch however, if two tires are on the same axle, it can be weighed to 1300 pounds.
There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states permit only one trailer, while others allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, some states require fifth wheels on the trailer, which is a circular plate over the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs which include an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit. They are designed to be used for
18 wheeler accident hauling over the road.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must adhere to speed limits and traffic signals in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks aren't allowed to drive at the same speeds as passenger cars. If they do, accidents can occur. In many instances the truck driver is the primary culprit in these accidents. This is because truck drivers may drive for longer than allowed and break hours-of service rules or become tired or distracted behind the wheel.
Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left right lane. This is because it takes much longer for trucks to stop than cars. This can be a dangerous issue, especially for those who drive smaller vehicles and may be stranded behind a truck when it slows or stops suddenly.
Some states restrict the use of lane lanes in certain circumstances, while others restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. In some cases the laws are based on weight and axel limits, whereas in others they may be based on vehicle descriptions or direction signs.
Even if there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still be aware of local rules and abide by them. You should also move to the right when you spot trucks blocking the lane.
Ownership
The
18 wheeler accident lawyers-wheeler and trucking firms have an abundance of resources to make use of to force accident victims to accept less than what they're entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, engineers, and experts working on their behalf, even before they know if an accident victim is going to seek legal relief.
Because they carry huge loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause severe injuries and massive property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially relevant when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.
Large-scale accidents require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving and other related areas. Our attorneys have the expertise to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the negligent or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all liable parties and make sure they are liable for their fair share of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies of maintenance contractors, even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies are able to deploy large teams of lawyers, adjusters, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they are aware of whether you'll be seeking legal recourse. It is crucial to hire an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and reducing them in size.
An experienced
18 wheeler accident lawyer can relieve the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. This money can be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work, and other non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-level, systematized maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and
18 wheeler accident maintain accurate records could result in tragic accidents.
Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized licensing to transport. These materials can be explosive or flammable and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a significant danger to other drivers on American highways. A catastrophic accident could also happen if the load is not properly labeled and secured.
A skilled 18-wheeler crash lawyer can determine the cause and blame the parties that may be responsible. These could include the truck driver as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is known as vicarious liability.