What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law regulates accidents that involve commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles must adhere to strict federal guidelines for maintenance, safety, and training.

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

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits of semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are set by most states. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates, accidents where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits they could face fines and even sentenced to jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are granted a higher limit because distributing the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be carried. A single tire on an wheel can weigh up to 650 pounds per inch however, if two tires are mounted on the same axle, it can be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, while other states only allow triple or twin trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a plate which sits over the drive wheels, and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate a sleeping area inside the tractor unit. They are designed for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions truck drivers must be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to operate at the same speed as cars for passengers. If they do, accidents are likely to occur. In most cases, it is the truck driver that is the one to blame. This is due to truck drivers being able to drive longer than the limit or break the rules of hours-of-service, or become tired or distracted behind the wheel.

Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left right lane. Trucks are slower to brake than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This could be a risky problem, especially for people who drive smaller vehicles and may be stuck behind a truck if it suddenly stops or slows down.

Some states restrict the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while others restrict it for big trucks. In certain instances, these laws are built around axel and weight limits, whereas in other they could be based on the description of the vehicle or directions.

Although there's no statewide law on lane restrictions, you should still look over the local rules and observe them. You should also shift to the right side if you see trucks passing in the lane to ensure that it does not hinder faster vehicles from passing you.

Ownership

Trucking and pocahontas 18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheeler companies have a vast array of resources to force accident victims to accept less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers that work on their behalf, even before they know if an accident victim will pursue legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are much bigger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause massive injuries and property damage in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with motor vehicles. It is important to have a skilled attorney defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, large corporations.

Large vehicle accidents require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry and trucking regulations from the federal government and medical practices, driving regulations and related areas. Our attorneys are able to uncover any violations of these laws, and show the jury what led to your accident.

bellwood 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligence or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all responsible parties and ensure they pay their fair share of your current and accidents anticipated costs. This includes owners of trucking companies, trucking companies of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze the weather conditions that could be a factor in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can send large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know if you'll need legal recourse. That's why it's crucial to hire a capable attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler crash lawyer can help you deal with these corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. The money will cover costs such as high medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages due to missing work, and also non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require a high-level, structured maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to keep detailed documents and carry out this maintenance can result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous materials, that require specialized training and a license. The material could be explosive, flammable, or poisonous, all of which present significant dangers to other drivers on American roads. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the load is not properly labeled and secured.

A qualified 18-wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact cause of your crash and hold liable any parties that are accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company and the owner of the trailer as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.