What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

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

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are set by most states. Weigh stations are prevalent along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver is caught violating these limitations they may be fined or even jailed depending on the state they reside in and their criminal record.

Axle groups have an increased limit because spreading the weight across multiple axles is safer for the vehicle and allows more cargo to be carried. A single tire on an wheel is only weighed up to 700 pounds per inch, but when two tires are on the same axle, it could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used with a tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require the fifth wheel to be installed on the trailer, which is a circular plate over the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate sleeping areas inside the tractor unit and are designed to be used for hauling over the road.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions truck drivers also must follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, even if they do, they may cause accidents. In a lot of cases, it is the truck driver who is at fault. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can be driving for longer than is permitted and break hours-of service rules or become tired or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Another important limitation on lane is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left right lane. This is due to the fact that it takes much longer for trucks to stop than cars. This can pose a danger issue, particularly for those in smaller cars who may be stranded behind a truck when it suddenly stops or slows down.

Some states limit the use of lanes in certain circumstances, while some states limit it to large trucks. In certain instances these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, whereas in others, they may be based on vehicle descriptions or directions.

Even if there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still look over the local rules and follow the rules. You should also shift to the right side if you see a truck in the pass lane to ensure that it does not hinder faster vehicles from taking over.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have massive resources at their disposal to force accident victims into accepting far less than they deserve. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who work on their behalf before they even know whether the accident victim will pursue legal action.

Because they are able to carry enormous loads and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause massive injuries and property damage in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complex concepts that are derived from physics, chemistry, biology and federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers are able discover any infringements of these laws, and show the jury what led to your accident.

Many parties could be at fault for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure they are paid their fair portion of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking firms, owners, maintenance contractors, and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that could have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of options available and can quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers to create a defense against accident victims. They begin this process before they know whether you'll need legal recourse. This is why it's so important to immediately retain an experienced attorney who will match their resources and bring them down to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler crash lawyer can help you deal with these big corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you are entitled to. This money can be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damages and lost income due to missed work, and other non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and keep detailed records could lead to devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. The material is flammable, explosive, radiological or toxic, all of which could pose a significant risk for other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.

A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer wheeler crash lawyer can determine the precise cause of your accident and liable for any party who could be accountable. These may include the driver of the truck and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious liability.