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 press their drivers to complete longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause accidents involving trucks to be devastating.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to be aware of the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by most states. Weigh stations are common along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is discovered to be violating these limits, they could be penalized or even imprisoned based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher limit on weight because the vehicle is safer when the weight is spread over a wider range of axles. This also permits the transport of more cargo. For example, a single tire on an axle can only be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on the same axle, it can be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, while other states permit triple or twin trailers. In addition, many states require five wheels on the trailer. This is a circular plate over the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors and sleeper cabs can be found. They both come with a sleeping space in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must obey speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, when they do, they could cause accidents. In a lot of cases, it's the driver of the truck at fault. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are allowed to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations, or being asleep or distracted behind the wheel.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left right lane. This is because it takes a lot longer for trucks to stop than cars. This can be a serious issue, especially for those with smaller cars who could be stranded behind a truck when it stops abruptly or slows down.

Certain states restrict the use of lanes in specific circumstances, while others restrict it to large trucks. In certain instances, these laws are built around axel and weight limits, whereas in others they may be based on the description of the vehicle or directions.

Even if there's no law that is statewide however, you must check local rules about lane restrictions and follow them. It is also recommended to move to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The trucking and hazleton 18 wheeler accident law firm-wheeler businesses have an abundance of resources to employ to pressure victims of accidents to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers working on their behalf before they know if an accident victim will pursue legal action.

Because they can carry massive loads and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause severe injuries and massive property damage in accidents. This is especially so when they collide into other motor vehicles. It is important to have experienced lawyers fight for your rights and get you justice against these massive, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology and federal regulations for trucking and medicine, driving standards and related areas. Our lawyers have the knowledge to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury why it led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the negligent or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the liable parties and make sure they pay their fair part of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies, owners as well as maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that could have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of resources available and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers to create a defense against accident victims. They start this process even before they know if you will seek legal recourse. That is why it is essential to get an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and bring them down to size.

An attorney who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions can ease the burden and help you receive the compensation you're entitled to. This money can be used to pay for medical costs, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work, and other non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and maintain accurate logs can lead to tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. The material may be explosive, flammable, radiological or toxic, all of which can pose serious dangers to other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could cause a devastating accident.

A reputable 18 wheeler accident lawyer can determine the precise cause of your crash and hold accountable any other parties who could be accountable. These may include the truck driver as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.