What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered by the law of 18 wheels. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently pressure their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead trucking accidents to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is crucial to know the weight limitations for semi-trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be adhered to. There are numerous weigh stations on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught in violation of these limits and is fined, they could be penalized and even sent to jail according to their criminal record 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. For example a single tire mounted on an axle may be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are two tires on the same axle, it can be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. In addition, some states require fifth wheels on the trailer. It is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both include an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to restrictions on lane usage, truck drivers must also adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and should they do, they may cause accidents. In many instances, it is the driver of the truck at fault. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are entitled to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations and/or being distracted or sleepy behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also prohibited from driving in the left lane. This is due to the fact that trucks take a lot longer trucks to stop than cars. This can be a dangerous problem, especially for people in smaller cars who may be stuck behind the truck when it suddenly stops or Vimeo slows down.

Some states specifically target large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, while others limit the use of the lane only in specific situations. In certain instances these laws are based on weight and axel limits, while in other, they may be based on the description of the vehicle or direction signs.

Even if there is no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules on the lane restrictions and adhere to them. You should also shift to the right if you see trucks passing in the lane so that it does not hinder cars overtaking you.

Ownership

Companies that operate menasha 18 wheeler accident law firm wheelers and trucks have a wealth of resources to pressure accident victims into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who work on their behalf before they know whether the victim of an accident will take legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are so much larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause severe injuries and massive property damage in accidents. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is important to hire an an experienced attorney defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, massive corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics and federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers are able to discover violations of these laws and show the jury why it led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the negligence or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they are held accountable for your present and future costs. This includes trucking firms, owners and maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also study the weather conditions that could have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can put together large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They begin the process before they know if you intend to pursue legal recourse. This is why it's so important to immediately retain a capable attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer will help you deal with these large corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you are entitled to. This money can be used to cover medical expenses, vehicle damage as well as lost income from missing work as well as other non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

calexico 18 wheeler accident law firm wheelers are a complex vehicle and require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and maintain accurate records could lead to disastrous accidents.

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

A competent attorney for 18-wheelers can determine the exact cause and Vimeo blame the individuals accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm or the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious responsibility.