What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 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 frequently press their drivers to complete longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead trucking accidents to be catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
It is important to understand the weight limitations of semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are set by the majority of states. It is common to see weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed to confirm that they do not exceed maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is discovered to be violating these limits, they may be fined or even imprisoned, based on the location and criminal record.
Axle groups are able to have a higher limit as distributing the weight over a wider range of axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows more cargo to be transported. A single tire on an wheel can weigh up to 665 pounds per inch however, when two tires are mounted on the same axle, it can be weighed to 1300 pounds.
There are 18 wheeler accident lawyer rialto on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, while others allow 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 connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractor models and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both come with a sleeping space in the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to lane restrictions Truck drivers must also adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and should they do, they might cause accidents. In many cases, it's the truck driver that is the one to blame. This is because truck drivers often be driving for longer than is permitted and break hours-of service rules or become tired or distracted behind the vehicle.
Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left side of the road. Trucks are slower to brake than cars for passenger use. This can be a serious issue, especially for those in cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind trucks when it slows or stops suddenly.
Certain states specifically single out large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane. However, others limit the usage of the lane in certain circumstances. These laws could be based either on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other situations, they could be based solely on the vehicle's description.
Even if there's no state-wide law regarding lane restrictions you should still be aware of local rules and abide by the rules. It is also recommended to move to the right when you spot trucks blocking the lane.
Ownership
The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have an abundance of resources to employ to pressure accident victims into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who represent them before they know whether the accident victim will take legal action.
In the event of an accident 18-wheelers are frequently responsible for a number of serious injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such hefty loads and are huge when compared to passenger cars. This is particularly relevant when these trucks are involved in collisions with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.
Large-scale accidents require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards, and other related fields. Our lawyers can find any violations of these laws, and show the jury what caused your accident.
Multiple parties can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties responsible and ensure that they are held accountable for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking firms and owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate the weather conditions that could have contributed to the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies can deploy large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know if you will seek legal recourse. That's why it's so important to immediately retain a capable attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.
An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer will alleviate the burden of dealing with these corporations off your shoulders and focus on obtaining the compensation you're due. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damages loss of income due to missed work as well as other non-economic damages like suffering and pain.
18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep detailed records can result in catastrophic accidents.
Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized certification to transport. These materials could be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other drivers on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also result in a fatal accident.
A reputable 18 wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact reason for your accident and liable for any party who may be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company as well as the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.