What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

Unfortunately, trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Most states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. It is commonplace to see weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed to make sure they aren't exceeding the maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found to be in violation of these limits, they could be fined or even jailed depending on the state they reside in and their criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher weight limit because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is distributed across multiple axles. This also allows for the transportation of more cargo. For example a single tire mounted on an axle is able to weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on the same axle it can be measured at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are also 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 twin or triple trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require the fifth wheel to be installed on the trailer which is a round plate above the drive wheels which joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are available. They both include a sleeping space in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to restrictions on lane usage, truck drivers must also be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and should they do, they could cause accidents. In many cases, the truck driver is the primary culprit 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 sleepy or distracted behind the wheel.

Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left or right. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than cars for passenger use. This can be a serious problem, especially for people in smaller cars who may be stranded behind the truck when it slows or stops suddenly.

Some states limit the use of lane lanes in certain circumstances, and some restrict it to large trucks. These laws may be based either on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other instances they may be based solely on the vehicle description.

Even if there is no statewide law however, you must check local regulations regarding the lane restriction and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the right when you see a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have massive resources available to pressure accident victims into accepting far less than they should. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who represent them before they know if the victim of the accident will take legal action.

Because they are able to carry enormous loads and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is especially true when these trucks are involved in collisions with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a skilled attorney fight for your rights and recover against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large truck accidents require a thorough understanding of concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry and physics and federal trucking regulations medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers have the experience to find violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury why it led to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for 18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all accountable parties and ensure they are paid their fair portion of your current and expected costs. This includes trucking firms owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that could have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to provide large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They start this process even before they know if you'll be seeking legal recourse. That is why it is so important to immediately retain an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and bring them down to size.

A lawyer who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions can ease the burden and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. This money can cover costs like steep medical bills or vehicle damage, lost wages from missing work, and other damages like suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and maintain detailed records can result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers often are used for transporting hazardous materials, which require special training and licenses. This material can 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 result in a catastrophic accident.

A skilled 18-wheeler crash lawyer will determine the exact cause and blame any individuals accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm and the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.