24 Hours For Improving 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers

What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents caused by commercial truck drivers their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered by the 18 wheeler law. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance security, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can result in catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limitations of semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by most states. It is common to see weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed to make sure they aren't exceeding the maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits, they could be fined and even sentenced to jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are granted a higher limit as distributing the weight across more axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows more cargo to be carried. For instance, a single tire on an axle is able to be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are 2 tires on that same axle it can be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer while some states allow triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require five wheels on the trailer, which is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels which joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs that have a sleeping area inside the tractor unit and are designed to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to limitations on lane width, truck drivers must also be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks are not allowed to drive at the same speeds as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents are likely to occur. In many instances, the truck driver is the culprit in these accidents. This is because truck drivers may drive for longer than allowed or break the rules of hours-of-service, or become sleepy or distracted behind the vehicle.

Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left the lane. Trucks are slower to brake than cars for passenger use. This could result in a dangerous situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states restrict the use of lane lanes in certain circumstances, while others restrict it to large trucks. In certain cases the 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 statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still be aware of local rules and observe the rules. You should also move to the right when you notice trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler companies have a wealth of resources to utilize to force victims of accidents to accept less than they are 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.

In accidents 18-wheelers are usually responsible for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage due to the fact that they are able to carry heavy loads and are so large relative to passenger vehicles. This is particularly true when these trucks collide into other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a skilled attorney defend your rights and recover against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large vehicle accidents require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry as well as federal regulations for trucking and medical practices, driving regulations and many other related fields. Our attorneys have the expertise to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury how they contributed to your accident.

18 wheeler accident-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the careless or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the responsible parties and ensure that they pay their fair share for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies, maintenance contractors, and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that could have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to deploy 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. It is important to retain an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size.

A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer can take the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to pay medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and attorneys other non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to keep accurate records and perform this maintenance can result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers often are used for transporting hazardous materials, that require specialized training and certification. The material could be explosive, flammable, radiological, or toxic, all of which can pose serious dangers to other drivers on American roads. An accident that is catastrophic could happen if the load is not properly labeled and secured.

A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can determine the cause and blame any individuals responsible. These could include the driver of the truck or the trucking company the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is called vicarious liability.