What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law covers accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These huge vehicles must be subject to strict federal guidelines for maintenance safety, training, and maintenance.
Unfortunately, trucking companies often press their drivers to complete longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause trucking accidents to be catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
Understanding the weight limits for semi-trucks is crucial. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is typical to see weigh stations along interstates where truck drivers are weighed to confirm that they do not exceed the maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught violating these limitations they could be fined or even jailed depending on the state and their criminal record.
Axle groups are granted a higher limit as distributing the weight over more axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be carried. A single tire on a wheel can weigh up to 665 pounds per inch however, when two tires are mounted on the same axle, it can be weighed to 1300 pounds.
There are restrictions on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, whereas others only permit triple or twin trailers. In addition, some states require five wheels on the trailer. It is a round plate that is above the drive wheels which joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs that have a sleeping area inside the tractor unit. They are made for over the road hauling.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must observe speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks aren’t allowed to operate at the same speed as cars used by passengers. If they do, accidents can occur. In many instances, the driver of the truck is at fault in these accidents. This is because truck drivers may drive longer than the limit or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or get sleepy or distracted behind the steering wheel.
Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers are not permitted to drive in the left side of the lane. Trucks brake much slower than cars for passenger use. This can be a serious issue, particularly for those in cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind a truck if it slows or stops abruptly.
Certain states restrict the use of lanes in specific circumstances, and some restrict it for large trucks. These laws could be based on axel or weight limits. In other situations they could be solely based on vehicle description.
Even if there is no law that is statewide it is important to check local rules on the lane restriction and adhere to the rules. You should also move to the right when you notice a truck blocking the passing lane.
Ownership
The trucking and 18-wheeler companies have a wealth of resources to use in order to force accident victims to accept less than what they’re entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers working on their behalf before they know whether the victim of the accident is going to seek legal relief.
In accidents 18-wheelers can be blamed for severe injuries and property damage because they carry such hefty loads and are huge relative to passenger vehicles. This is particularly relevant when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is important to hire an an experienced attorney fight for your rights and get you justice against these massive, powerful corporations.
Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complicated concepts from the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and federal trucking regulations, medical and driving regulations. Our attorneys have the expertise to discover violations of these laws and explain to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the negligent or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair share of your current and 18 wheeler accident lawyer anticipated costs. This includes trucking firms owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies can send large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They start this process before they even know if you intend to pursue legal recourse. This is why it’s vital to immediately hire an experienced attorney who can match their resources and bring them down to size.
An attorney who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions can relieve you of the burden and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. This can be used to cover expenses such as medical bills that are costly and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages from missing work, and non-economic injuries like suffering and pain.
18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep detailed records can result in tragic accidents.
Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material, which requires special training and specialized licensing to transport. The material is explosive, flammable, radiological, or poisonous, and all of these present significant dangers for other drivers on American roads. A serious accident can also occur if the load was not properly labeled and secured.
A qualified 18 wheeler accident law firm-wheeler crash attorney will determine the exact causes and blame any other individuals who could be accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm as well as the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.