What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

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

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limitations for semi trucks. The majority of states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be observed. Weigh stations are prevalent along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or 18 wheeler accident load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits they could face fines and even sentenced to jail depending on their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups have a greater limit of weight since the vehicle is safer when the weight is spread across multiple axles. This also allows for 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 on the same axle, they could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states permit only one trailer, while other states allow twin or triple trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer. It is a round plate that is above the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are available. They both include an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to traffic rules and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as cars and should they do, they could cause accidents. In a lot of instances, it is the truck driver at fault. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive longer than they are allowed to and break hours-of service rules or get sleepy or distracted behind the vehicle.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left right lane. Trucks brake more slowly than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This could be a risky problem, especially for people with smaller cars who could be stuck behind the truck when it slows or stops abruptly.

Some states specifically exempt large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, whereas other states limit the use of the lane in specific circumstances. In some instances, these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, whereas in other they could be based upon vehicle description or directions.

Even if there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you must still review the local rules and adhere to them. It is also recommended to move to the left if you see a truck in the passing lane, so that it does not block faster cars from taking over.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have huge resources to pressure victims of accidents into accepting far less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts who advocate for their clients even before they know if the victim of the accident is going to seek legal relief.

In accidents 18-wheelers are frequently responsible for a number of serious injuries and property damage because they carry such heavy loads and are incredibly large relative to passenger vehicles. This is especially the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and trucking regulations from the federal government, medicine, driving standards and other related areas. Our lawyers have the knowledge to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the negligent or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the accountable parties and ensure they are liable for their fair portion of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies, owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that might have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to put together large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They start this process even before they are aware of whether you'll seek legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who can match their resources and helping them decrease in size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer will help you deal with these big corporations off your hands and focus on getting you the compensation you're due. This can be used to cover expenses such as high medical bills or vehicle damage, lost wages from missing work, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

18 wheeler accident lawsuits wheelers are highly complex vehicles and require high-end, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to keep accurate records and to perform maintenance can cause catastrophe-causing accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous substances, that require special training and licenses. The material could be flammable, explosive, radiological, or poisonous, all of which present significant dangers to other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also cause a devastating accident.

A qualified 18 wheeler crash lawyer can determine the exact reason for your accident and hold any responsible parties who may be responsible. This could include the truck driver as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.