What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler law regulates accidents that involve commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often make their drivers to work for longer and alter logbooks. This can cause accidents involving trucks to be devastating.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi-trucks is crucial. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are set by the majority of states. It is typical to see weigh stations along interstates where truck drivers are weighed in order to ensure that they do not exceed the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught in violation of these limits they could face fines and even put in jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are able to have a higher limit because distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows more cargo to be transported. For instance a single tire mounted on an axle can weigh 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 limitations on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. Furthermore, many states require five wheels on the trailer. It is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are available. They both come with a sleeping area inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to the lane restrictions truck drivers also must adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, should they do, they might cause accidents. In many instances the truck driver is at fault in these accidents. This is due to truck drivers being able to be driving for longer than is permitted or break the rules of hours-of-service, or become tired or distracted behind the vehicle.

Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left side of the road. Trucks brake more slowly than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a dangerous problem, particularly for those in smaller cars who may be stuck behind a truck if it suddenly stops or slows down.

Some states specifically exclude large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, and other states limit the use of the lane in specific circumstances. In some instances, these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, while in other, they may be based on vehicle descriptions or directions.

Even if there is no statewide law however, you must check local rules on lane restrictions and follow the rules. It is also recommended to move to the right side if you spot a truck in the passing lane, so that it does not hinder cars approaching you.

Ownership

Companies operating mebane 18 wheeler Accident law firm wheelers and trucking have a wealth of resources available to force victims of accidents into accepting less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who act on their behalf before they even know whether the accident victim will pursue legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause massive injuries and property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially true when these trucks collide into other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these large, powerful 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 can identify any violations of these laws, and present to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the negligence or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they pay their fair share for your present and future expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners, maintenance contractors, and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can send large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They start the process before they know whether you are going to pursue legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who can match their resources and reducing them in size.

A lawyer who has experience in handling 18-wheeler crashes will ease your burden and help you get the compensation you're due. The money will cover costs like medical bills that are expensive or vehicle damage, the loss of earnings due to a lack of work, and also non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles and require high-end, systematic maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and maintain detailed records can result in catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material that requires specialized training and special licensing for transport. The material is explosive, flammable, or toxic, all of which can pose serious dangers for other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and Vimeo secure the load could result in a catastrophic accident.

A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer can determine the exact reason for your accident and hold any responsible parties who are responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm as well as the owner of the trailer as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.