What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

Trucking companies often require their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limitations for semi-trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed to make sure they are not exceeding the maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a truck driver is discovered to be violating these limits, they could be fined, or even imprisoned based on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher weight limit due to the fact that the vehicle is more secure when the weight is distributed across more axles. This also allows for the transportation of more cargo. For example a single tire mounted on an axle can only be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are two tires on the same axle, it can be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.

There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer while others only allow twin or triple trailers. Some states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that sits over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs can be found. They both include an area for sleeping in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to limitations on lane width truck drivers also must be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, if they do, they could cause accidents. In a lot of cases, the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or be distracted or sleepy behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left side of the road. Trucks brake more slowly than passenger cars. This could create a dangerous situation, especially for smaller vehicles that could be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states prohibit the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while others restrict it to large trucks. These laws can be based either on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other instances, they could be based solely on the vehicle's description.

Even if there's no statewide law governing lane restrictions, you should still look over the local rules and observe them. It is also recommended to move to the right side if you see a truck in the passing lane so that it does not hinder cars overtaking you.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler companies have many resources they can utilize to force victims of accidents to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who represent them before they know whether the accident victim will pursue legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is important to have an experienced attorney fight for your rights and get you justice against these powerful, massive corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry and federal regulations for trucking and medicine, driving standards and other related fields. Our lawyers are able to identify any violations of these laws, and present to the jury the circumstances that caused your accident.

18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the negligence or reckless actions of several parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer - click for more - will investigate all accountable parties and ensure they are paid their fair share of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners and maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to send large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They start this process even before they know whether you'll be seeking legal recourse. That is why it is crucial to hire an experienced attorney who will match their resources and 18 wheeler accident lawyer reduce them to size.

A lawyer with expertise in dealing with 18-wheeler accidents will ease your burden and help you receive the compensation you're due. This money can cover costs like medical bills that are expensive and vehicle damage, 18 wheeler accident lawyer as well as lost wages from missing work, as well as non-economic injuries like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are highly complex vehicles and require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep detailed records could lead to catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized certification to transport. The material may be flammable, explosive, radiological or poisonous, all of which could pose a significant risk to other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could result in a catastrophic accident.

A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney will determine the exact cause and blame any parties who are responsible. These may include the driver of the truck as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is called vicarious liability.