What Is 18 wheeler accident law firm Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law covers accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits of semi-trucks is crucial. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be adhered to. Weigh stations are prevalent on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found violating these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even sentenced to jail according to their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups have a higher limit of weight since the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread over a wider range of axles. This also permits the carriage of more cargo. A single tire on an wheel can only weigh up to 650 pounds per inch however, when two tires are mounted on the same axle, it can be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer while others only allow triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require five wheels on the trailer. It is a round plate that is above the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate sleeping areas inside the tractor unit and are designed for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to speed limits and traffic signals in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not allowed to drive at the same speeds as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents could occur. In most cases the truck driver is the culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving for longer than they are entitled to, violating hours-of-service rules or be tired or distracted behind the driving.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers aren't permitted to drive in the left side of the lane. This is because it takes much longer for trucks to brake than cars. This could be a risky problem, especially for people in smaller cars who may be stuck behind a truck when it slows or stops abruptly.

There are some states that specifically exempt big trucks and block them from using the left lane, and others restrict the use of the lane in specific situations. These laws can be based either on weight or axel limits. In other situations, they could be based solely on the vehicle description.

Even if there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still be aware of local rules and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The trucking and 18 wheeler accident law firms-wheeler businesses have an abundance of resources to make use of to force accident victims into accepting less than they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who act on their behalf before they even know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause severe injuries and massive property damage in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with motor vehicles. It is important to hire an a skilled attorney defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, large corporations.

Large vehicle accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, federal regulations for trucking and medical practices, driving regulations, and other related areas. Our lawyers are able find any violations of these laws, and present to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

Multiple parties could be accountable for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure that they are liable for their fair share of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking firms as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that could be a factor in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of options available and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers to create a defense against the victims of accidents. They begin this process before they decide if you will to seek 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 help you deal with these big corporations off your hands and focus on obtaining the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and other non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are a complex vehicle that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to maintain detailed documents and carry out this maintenance could lead to disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous materials which require special training and licensing. The material may be flammable, explosive, radiological or poisonous, and all of these present significant dangers for other drivers on American roads. A fatal accident could occur if the load was not properly labelled and secured.

A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can determine the exact cause of the accident and pinpoint any individuals who could be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, 18 wheeler accident the trucking firm, the owner or the trailer, as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is called vicarious responsibility.