A Delightful Rant About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered by the 18 wheeler law. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often pressure their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead 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 set by most states. Weigh stations are common on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver gets found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be fined, or even imprisoned, based on the location and criminal record.

Axle groups have a greater limit on weight because the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed over a wider range of axles. This also permits the carriage of more cargo. A single tire on a wheel can only be weighed up to 650 pounds per inch however, if two tires are mounted on the same axle, they can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while others only allow triple or twin trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that is placed above the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab tractor models as well as sleeper cabs are readily available. They both have a sleeping area in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to limitations on lane width truck drivers also must adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to operate at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents could occur. In a lot of cases the truck driver is at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers may be driving for longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or be tired or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left side of the lane. Trucks are slower to brake than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a very dangerous situation, especially for cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states specifically exempt big trucks and block them from using the left lane, and other states limit the use of the lane in certain circumstances. These laws can be based on weight or axel limits. In other instances they could be based solely on vehicle's description.

Even if there is no law that is statewide it is important to check local rules on lane restrictions and follow the rules. You should also move to the left when you see a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The trucking and 18-wheeler companies have many resources they can use in order to force victims of accidents to accept less than they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers who work for their clients even before they know if the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers are usually responsible for a number of serious injuries and property damage because they carry such hefty loads and are incredibly large when compared to passenger cars. This is especially true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry and physics and federal trucking regulations medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers have the knowledge to find violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they are liable for their fair share of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes owners of trucking companies, trucking companies, maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. 18 wheeler accident lawyer vancouver will also examine the weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have vast resources at their disposal and can swiftly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers, engineers, and experts to build a defense against the victims of accidents. They start this process even before they know if you'll need legal recourse. This is why it's essential to get a capable attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer will relieve the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you're due. This can be used to cover expenses like steep medical bills or vehicle damage, lost wages from missing work, and non-economic injuries like pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep detailed records could result in devastating accidents.


Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous materials, that require specialized training and a license. The material is explosive, flammable, or toxic, all of which could pose a significant risk for other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also result in a catastrophic accident.

A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer can determine the exact causes of your accident and hold any responsible parties that are accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company, the owner or the trailer, as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.