What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered by the 18 wheeler law. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.
Trucking companies often make their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can lead to catastrophic trucking accidents.
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Understanding the weight limits of semi trucks is essential. Most states have both single axle and group axle weight limits which must be adhered to. Weigh stations are commonplace on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they do not exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found breaking these limits and is fined, they could be penalized and even put in jail subject to their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups are able to have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be transported. For instance one tire on an axle can only be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are two tires on that same axle it could be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.
There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer while others only allow triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require five wheels on the trailer. It is a round plate above the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are offered. They both have a sleeping space inside the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to restrictions on lane usage, truck drivers must also follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers, and even if they do, they might cause accidents. In most cases, it's the truck driver that is the one to blame. This is because truck drivers may drive longer than the limit or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or become tired or distracted behind the driving.
Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left side of the lane. This is due to the fact that trucks take longer trucks to stop than cars. This could be a risky problem, especially for people with smaller cars who could be stuck behind trucks when it slows or stops abruptly.
There are some states that specifically exclude large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane, whereas others restrict the use of the lane in specific situations. These laws could be based either on weight or axel limits. In other situations, they could be solely based on the vehicle description.
Even if there is no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules on the lane restrictions and adhere to the rules. It is also recommended to move to the right side if you spot trucks passing in the lane so that it does not block faster cars from passing you.
Ownership
Companies operating 18 wheelers and trucking have massive resources available to pressure victims of accidents to accept less than they deserve. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts who work for their clients even before they know whether an accident victim is going to seek legal relief.
In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for a plethora of injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such heavy loads and are huge when compared to passenger cars. This is especially the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.
Large truck accidents require an understanding of complicated concepts that are derived from biology, chemistry and physics, federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers can uncover any violations of these laws and explain to the jury what led to your accident.
Many parties could be at fault for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all responsible parties and ensure they are liable for their fair part of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking companies, owners, maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate the weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies are able to deploy large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They start this process even before they know if you'll be seeking legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.
An attorney who has expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents will relieve you of the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. The money could be used to cover medical expenses, vehicle damages as well as lost income from missing work, and other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are a complex vehicle that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to keep detailed documents and carry out this maintenance can lead to devastating accidents.
Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. The material may be explosive, flammable or poisonous, and all of these pose significant risks for other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also cause a devastating accident.
A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will determine the exact cause and blame the individuals who could be accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm and the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.