What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law deals with accidents that involve commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.
Trucking companies often force their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause accidents involving trucks to be devastating.
Weight Regulations
Understanding the weight limits of semi trucks is essential. The majority of states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be adhered to. There are numerous weigh stations along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be fined, or even imprisoned based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.
Axle groups are able to have a higher limit as distributing the weight over a wider range of axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows more cargo to be transported. A single tire on an wheel is only weighed up to 665 pounds per inch however, when two tires are on the same axle, it can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.
There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, and others only permit triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that sits above the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs can be found. They all have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must observe traffic rules and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks aren't able to travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles and when they do, they might cause accidents. In a lot of cases the truck driver is the primary culprit in these accidents. This is because truck drivers often be driving for longer than is permitted and break hours-of service rules or get sleepy or distracted behind the vehicle.
Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left the lane. This is due to the fact that it takes much longer for trucks to stop than passenger vehicles. This could be a risky situation, particularly for cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.
There are some states that specifically exempt big trucks and block them from using the left lane, whereas others limit the use of the lane only in specific circumstances. These laws may be based either on axel or weight limits. In other situations they may be based solely on vehicle description.
Even if there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still check the local rules and adhere to the rules. You should also move over to the right when you spot a truck in the pass lane in order to not hinder faster cars from overtaking you.
Ownership
Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have massive resources available to pressure accident victims to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts that work on their behalf before they know whether the victim of the accident is going to seek legal relief.
In accidents 18-wheelers are usually responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such large loads and are so large compared to passenger vehicles. This is particularly so when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is vital to hire an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.
Large-scale accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry, federal regulations for trucking and medical practices, driving regulations, and other related areas. Our lawyers are able to find violations of these laws and show the jury how it led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the careless or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they pay their fair share for your present and future costs. This includes trucking firms, owners, maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.
Insurance
The trucking industry has a wealth of resources at their disposal and can quickly send teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers, engineers, and experts to build a defense against the victims of accidents. They begin this process before they are aware of whether you will seek legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.
A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer will take the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on getting you the compensation you are entitled to. The money could be used to pay for expenses like steep medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages due to missing work, and also non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are a complex vehicle that require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and keep accurate records could result in devastating accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous materials which require specialized training and a license. These materials could be flammable or explosive and radiological as well as poisonous. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit mountain view pose a significant risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured.
A qualified 18-wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact reason for your accident and liable for any party who may be responsible. These could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is known as vicarious liability.