9 Things Your Parents Teach You About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers

What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law regulates accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance, safety, and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often pressure 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 vital. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be adhered to. There are numerous weigh stations along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker gets found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be fined, or even jailed based on the location and criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher limit of weight since the vehicle is safer when the weight is spread over a wider range of axles. This also permits the transport of more cargo. For example one tire on an axle may weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are 2 tires on the same axle, it could be measured at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states permit only one trailer while some states allow triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require fifth wheels on the trailer which is a circular plate over the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate a sleeping area into the tractor unit and are designed for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must observe traffic signals and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers, and if they do, they can cause accidents. In many cases the driver of the truck is at fault in these accidents. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can be driving for longer than is permitted, break hours-of-service rules, or be distracted or sleepy behind the wheel.

Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left or right. This is due to the fact that it takes much longer for trucks to stop than passenger vehicles. This could result in a dangerous situation, particularly for smaller vehicles that could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

There are some states that specifically target large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, while others only restrict the use of the lane under specific circumstances. These laws could be based on weight or axel limit. In other cases they may be based solely on vehicle's description.

Even if there isn't a statewide law on lane restrictions, you should still be aware of local rules and observe them. It is also recommended to move to the right side if you see trucks passing in the lane in order to not hinder faster cars from taking over.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have huge resources available to force victims of accidents into accepting less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers working on their behalf, even before they know whether the victim of an accident will seek legal remedy.

Due to their massive load and are larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheeler accidents wheelers typically cause severe injuries and massive property damage in accidents. This is particularly so when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to have an experienced lawyers defend your rights and recovery against these massive, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and trucking regulations from the federal government and medical practices, driving regulations and other related areas. Our lawyers can uncover any violations of these laws, and show the jury what caused your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are usually caused by the negligent or reckless actions of several parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties responsible and ensure that they are held accountable for your present and future expenses. This includes trucking firms and owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that might have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have a wealth of options available and can quickly send teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts to build a defense against accident victims. They begin this process before they even know if you intend to pursue legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who can match their resources and reducing them in size.

A lawyer with expertise in dealing with 18-wheeler accidents will relieve you of the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. This money can be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and other non-economic losses like suffering and pain.

18 wheelers are a complex vehicle and require high-end, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and keep accurate records could result in catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous materials that require special training and licensing. The material could be explosive, flammable, radiological, or poisonous, all of which can pose serious dangers for other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.

A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will determine the exact cause and blame any individuals who could be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company as well as the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.