The Expert Guide To 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents with commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered under the 18 wheeler law. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.

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

Weight Regulations

It is essential to be aware of the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is common to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed in order to verify that they do not exceed maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits they could face fines or even imprisoned subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are able to have a higher limit as distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows more cargo to be transported. For instance a single tire on an axle can be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are two tires on the same axle, it can be measured at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while other states allow triple or twin trailers. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit west palm beach require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a piece of metal that sits over the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs that have sleeping areas inside the tractor unit. They are made for over the road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to restrictions on lane usage truck drivers also must follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and, when they do, they can cause accidents. In many instances, it's the truck driver who is responsible. This is because truck drivers may drive for longer than allowed, break hours-of-service rules, or become tired or distracted behind the vehicle.

Another important limitation on lane is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left or right. This is because it takes a lot longer for trucks to brake than cars. This can be a very dangerous situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

There are some states that specifically exclude big trucks and block them from using the left lane, and others restrict the use of the lane in specific situations. In some cases, these laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, whereas in other they may be based on vehicle descriptions or directions.

Even if there's no statewide law governing lane restrictions, you should still be aware of local rules and abide by them. Also, you should move to the right when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking companies have a wealth of resources to make use of to force victims of accidents to accept less than what they're entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts who advocate for their clients even before they know if an accident victim will seek legal remedy.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for severe injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such heavy load and are so massive in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is especially true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to have an experienced lawyers defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, large corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complex concepts that are derived from physics, chemistry, biology, federal trucking regulations, medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers are able identify any violations of these laws, and present to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligence or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties responsible and ensure that they are responsible for your present and future costs. This includes trucking firms owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can send large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They start this process even before they are aware of whether you will seek legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size.

An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer will help you deal with these corporations off your hands and focus on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage as well as lost income from missing work, and other non-economic damages like pain and suffering.


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

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized licensing to transport. The material may be explosive, flammable, radiological, or poisonous, all of which could pose a significant risk to other drivers on American roads. A serious accident can also occur if the load is not properly labeled and secured.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can determine the causes and blame any other individuals responsible. These may include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious liability.