What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

Unfortunately, trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer hours and alter log books. This can lead accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to understand the weight limitations of semi-trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be adhered to. Weigh stations are commonplace on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker gets caught violating these limitations they could be fined, or even imprisoned based on the location and criminal record.

Axle groups are given a higher limit because distributing the weight over a wider range of axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be carried. A single tire on an wheel can only weigh up to 700 pounds per inch, however, when two tires are mounted on the same axle, they could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, and others only allow triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a piece of metal that sits over the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate a sleeping area into the tractor unit. They are designed to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to traffic signals and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and even if they do, Vimeo.com they can cause accidents. In most cases, the truck driver is the one at fault in these accidents. This is because truck drivers often drive longer than the limit and break hours-of service rules or become sleepy or distracted behind the vehicle.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left right lane. This is because trucks take longer trucks to brake than cars. This could be a risky situation, especially for smaller vehicles that could get stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Some states limit the use of lanes in specific circumstances, and some restrict it for large trucks. These laws could be based either on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other cases, they could be based solely on vehicle description.

Even if there's no state-wide regulation on lane limits, you should still check the local rules and follow the rules. Also, you should move to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler businesses have many resources they can employ to pressure victims of accidents to accept less than what they're entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who advocate on their behalf before they even know if the accident victim will take legal action.

Due to their massive load and are larger than passenger automobiles, chatham 18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheelers typically cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is important to hire an a skilled attorney defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, massive corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving and other related areas. Our attorneys have the expertise to uncover violations of these laws and show the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the negligent or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair share of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze weather conditions that might have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of options available and can swiftly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, engineers, and experts to develop a strategy for defense against the victims of accidents. They start this process before they decide if you will to seek legal recourse. That's why it's so important to immediately retain an experienced attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer can alleviate the burden of dealing with these corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you deserve. This can be used to cover expenses such as high medical bills or vehicle damage, the loss of earnings due to a lack of work, as well as non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles and require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to keep accurate documents and carry out this maintenance can lead to devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous materials, that require special training and licensing. The material could be explosive, flammable or toxic, all of which could pose a significant risk for other drivers on American roads. A serious accident can also occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured.

A qualified 18 wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact causes of your accident and liable for any party who are responsible. These could include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is called vicarious responsibility.