What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law covers accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety and training.
Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work for longer and alter logbooks. This can lead accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by most states. Weigh stations are prevalent along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure they do not exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught breaking these limits they could face fines and even sentenced to jail subject to their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups have a greater weight limit because the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed across multiple axles. This also allows for the carriage of more cargo. A single tire on an wheel can weigh up to 665 pounds per inch however, when two tires are on the same axle, they can be weighed to 1300 pounds.
There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer while some states permit triple or twin trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that is placed above the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are day cab tractor and sleeper cabs that have a sleeping area into the tractor unit. They are made to haul over the road.
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In addition to the lane restrictions, truck drivers must also comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as cars, and when they do, they can cause accidents. In a lot of instances, it's the driver of the truck at fault. This is because truck drivers often be driving for longer than is permitted and break hours-of service rules or get sleepy or distracted behind the driving.
Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left side of the road. This is because it takes much longer for trucks to brake than cars. This could result in a risky situation, particularly for smaller vehicles that could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.
There are some states that specifically target big trucks and block them from using the left lane, and others only restrict the use of the lane under specific situations. In certain cases these laws are built around axel and weight limits, while in others, they may be based on vehicle description or directions.
Even if there is no law that is statewide that you can follow, you should be aware of local regulations regarding the lane restrictions and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the right when you spot trucks passing in the lane, so that it does not hinder faster cars from overtaking you.
Ownership
The trucking and 18-wheeler companies have many resources they can utilize to force accident victims to accept less than what they're entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who act on their behalf before they even know whether the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.
In the event of an accident 18-wheelers are frequently responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage because they are able to carry heavy loads and are incredibly large relative to passenger vehicles. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights 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 are able to uncover any violations of these laws, and then show the jury the factors that caused your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligent or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties responsible and ensure that they are liable for your present and future costs. This includes trucking firms, owners as well as maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that could have played a part in the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies have an abundance of resources at their disposal and can swiftly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts to build a defense against accident victims. They begin this process before they know whether you are going to pursue legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size.
An attorney who has expertise in dealing with 18-wheeler accidents will relieve you of the burden and help you get the compensation you deserve. The money will cover costs such as high medical bills car damage, loss of wages due to absence from work, as well as 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. Failure to keep accurate documents and carry out this maintenance can lead to disastrous accidents.
Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. They can be flammable or explosive or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a serious danger to other drivers on American highways. An accident that is catastrophic could happen if the load is not properly labeled and secured.
A qualified 18 wheeler crash lawyer can determine the precise cause of your crash and liable for any party who could be accountable. These may include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.