What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law protects against accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.
Trucking companies often make their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can result in catastrophic 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 that must be observed. Weigh stations are common along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits, they could be fined and even sent to jail depending on their criminal record and the state.
Axle groups have a greater weight limit due to the fact that the vehicle is more secure when the weight is distributed across more axles. This also allows for the carriage of more cargo. A single tire on an wheel can weigh up to 700 pounds per inch, however, if two tires are on the same axle, it can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.
There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states permit only one trailer, while others allow twin or triple trailers. Some states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs which include a sleeping area into the tractor unit and are designed for over-the-road hauling.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must adhere to traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks aren't permitted to travel at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents may occur. In many cases, the truck driver is the primary culprit in these accidents. This is due to truck drivers being able to drive for longer than allowed and break hours-of service rules or be distracted or sleepy behind the driving.
Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers aren't permitted to drive in the left lane. This is because trucks take longer trucks to stop than passenger vehicles. This can be a serious problem, especially for people in cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind a truck when it slows or
18 wheeler accident lawyer stops abruptly.
There are some states that specifically exclude large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane. However, others restrict the use of the lane in specific circumstances. In some instances these laws are built around axel and weight limits, whereas in other, they may be based upon vehicle description or direction signs.
Even if there is no statewide law it is important to check local rules on the lane restriction and adhere to them. You should also shift to the right when you spot trucks passing in the lane in order to not hinder faster vehicles from taking over.
Ownership
Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have massive resources available to pressure victims of accidents into accepting far less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers, engineers,
18 wheeler accident lawyer and experts who work for their clients even before they know whether the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.
Because they can carry massive loads and are much bigger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide into other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.
Accidents involving large vehicles require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology and trucking regulations from the federal government as well as medical standards, driving and other related fields. Our lawyers have the experience to identify violations of these laws and show the jury how they contributed to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the negligent or reckless actions of multiple 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 of maintenance contractors, even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that could have played a part in the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies have an abundance of resources available to them and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, engineers, and experts to help defend accident victims. They start this process even before they know if you'll seek legal recourse. This is why it is crucial to hire an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and cut them to size.
A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer can relieve the burden of dealing with these corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damages loss of income due to missed work and other non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are complex vehicles that require a high-level, structured maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to keep detailed logs and perform the necessary maintenance can result in devastating accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous materials, which require specialized training and certification. These materials may be explosive or flammable, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a major risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.
A reputable
18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler crash lawyer can pinpoint the exact causes of your accident and liable for any party that are accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking company, the owner or the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.