24-Hours To Improve 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers

What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law regulates accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance security, safety, and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead to catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to understand the weight limitations for semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not exceed the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits and is fined, they could be penalized or even imprisoned according to their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups are given an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel is only weighed up to 650 pounds per inch however, when two tires are mounted on the same axle, they could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states permit only one trailer, while others allow triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that sits over the drive wheels and 18 wheeler accident couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors and sleeper cabs which include sleeping areas inside the tractor unit. They are made to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions truck drivers also must follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't able to travel at the same speed as cars, and if they do, they could cause accidents. In most cases, it's the driver of the truck at fault. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive longer than they are allowed to, break hours-of-service rules, or get sleepy or distracted behind the steering wheel.

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

Certain states prohibit the use of lanes in specific situations, while other states restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. In some cases the laws are determined by weight and axel limits, whereas in other they may be based on the description of the vehicle or direction signs.

Even if there is no law that is statewide, you should check local regulations regarding the lane restrictions and adhere to the rules. It is also recommended to move to the right when you see trucks passing in the lane, so that it does not hinder faster vehicles from passing you.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have a vast array of resources at their disposal to pressure accident victims to accept less than they should. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who act on their behalf before they even know if the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.

Due to their massive load and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is particularly so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Large vehicle accidents require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry as well as federal regulations for trucking and medical practices, driving regulations and other related areas. Our lawyers have the experience to uncover violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury how they contributed to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for the 18-wheeler truck crash. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all liable parties and make sure they pay their fair part of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze the weather conditions that may be a factor in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to deploy large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, and 18 Wheeler Accident experts 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 reducing them in size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can alleviate the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. This money can cover costs such as high medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages due to missing work, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are a complex vehicle and require a high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep accurate logs can lead to catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers can be used to transport hazardous materials, that require special training and licensing. These materials could be explosive or flammable or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a major danger to other drivers on American highways. A catastrophic accident could also occur if the load is not properly labelled and secured.

A qualified 18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler crash lawyer can determine the precise cause of your crash and liable for any party who may be responsible. These could 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 called vicarious liability.