What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered by the law governing 18 wheelers. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.
Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause catastrophic trucking crashes.
Weight Regulations
Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are set by the majority of states. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed to verify that they do not exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined or even imprisoned subject to their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups have a greater limit on weight because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread across multiple axles. This also permits the transport of more cargo. For instance a single tire on an axle may weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are two tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.
There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer while others only allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer which is a round plate above the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractor and sleeper cabs that have sleeping areas inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed to be used for hauling over the road.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must observe traffic rules and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers, and if they do, they might cause accidents. In a lot of cases, the driver of the truck is at fault in these accidents. This is due to truck drivers being able to drive longer than they are allowed to or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or become tired or distracted behind the steering wheel.
Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left right lane. This is due to the fact that it takes much longer for trucks to brake than cars. This can pose a danger problem, especially for people who drive smaller vehicles and may be stuck behind a truck if it slows or stops abruptly.
Some states specifically single out big trucks and block them from using the left lane, and others limit the use of the lane under specific situations. These laws may be based on weight or axel limit. In other instances, they could be based solely on the vehicle description.
Even if there's no law that is statewide however, you must check local rules on limitations on lane usage and follow the rules. You should also shift to the right when you notice trucks blocking the lane.
Ownership
The trucking and 18-wheeler businesses have a wealth of resources to utilize to force victims of accidents to accept less than they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts that work on their behalf, even before they know if the victim of an accident is going to seek legal relief.
Because they can carry massive loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause severe injuries and massive property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially relevant when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is important to have an experienced attorney defend your rights and recovery against these massive, powerful corporations.
Accidents involving large vehicles require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and many other related areas. Our attorneys are able to find any violations of these laws and show the jury what caused your accident.
Treasure Island 18 wheeler Accident law firm-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the negligent or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they are responsible for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes owners of trucking companies, trucking companies and maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze weather conditions that might be a factor in your accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies can provide large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know whether you'll need legal recourse. That is why it is so important to immediately retain a capable attorney who can match their resources and reduce them to size.
An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer will alleviate the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on securing the compensation you deserve. The money could be used to pay for expenses like steep medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages from missing work, and non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.
westlake 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and maintain accurate records could lead to devastating accidents.
Tractor-trailers often are used to transport hazardous substances, that require specialized training and certification. These materials could be explosive or flammable and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other drivers on American highways. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the cargo is not properly labelled and secured.
A reputable haledon 18 wheeler accident lawyer wheeler crash lawyer will determine the exact causes of your accident and hold any responsible parties who are responsible. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking company as well as the owner of the trailer, as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious responsibility.