What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler law covers accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge 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 trucking accidents to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi-trucks is crucial. Most states have both single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be adhered to. Weigh stations are common along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker gets found to be in violation of these limits, they could be penalized or even jailed depending on the state of their residence and criminal record.

Axle groups have a greater limit on weight because the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed over more axles. This also allows for the transport of more cargo. A single tire on a wheel can weigh up to 700 pounds per inch, however, when two tires are on the same axle, they can be weighed to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer while others only permit triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that sits over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are offered. They all have a sleeping area inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to restrictions on lane usage truck drivers also must follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to drive at the same speed as cars used by passengers. If they do, accidents are likely to occur. In many instances, the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers may be driving for longer than they are entitled to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or simply being distracted or sleepy behind the wheel.

Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left or right. This is due to the fact that trucks take a lot longer trucks to stop than cars. This can be a dangerous issue, especially for those in cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind trucks when it stops abruptly or slows down.

There are states that specifically single out large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, 125.141.133.9 and other states limit the use of the lane in specific circumstances. In certain instances, these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, while in others they could be based upon vehicle description or direction signs.

Even if there's no state-wide regulation on lane limits, you should still look over the local rules and abide by them. Also, you should move to the right when you spot trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have huge resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents into accepting less than they deserve. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who work on their behalf before they even know whether the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.

Due to their massive load and are much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide into other motor vehicles. It is important to hire an experienced lawyers fight for your rights and healthndream.com recovery against these large, powerful corporations.

Large vehicle accidents require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving and many other related fields. Our lawyers are able to uncover any violations of these laws and present to the jury the circumstances that caused your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the careless or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all of the liable parties and make sure they are liable for their fair portion of your current and Vimeo.Com expected expenses. This includes trucking companies as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze weather conditions that might have played a role in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can provide large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know whether you'll need legal recourse. That's why it's so important to immediately retain an experienced attorney who will match their resources and cut them to size.

A lawyer with expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents can ease the burden and help you obtain the compensation you're due. This can be used to cover expenses such as high medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages due to missing work, and other damages like pain and suffering.

18 wheeler accident attorney wheelers are complex vehicles and require high-end, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain accurate records can result in devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. The material could be explosive, flammable, radiological or toxic, all of which pose significant risks to other drivers on American roads. A fatal accident could happen if the load is not properly labeled and secured.

A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can determine the exact causes and blame any other parties who are accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking company and the owner of the trailer, as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.