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 federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.
Trucking companies often make their drivers to work for longer and alter logbooks. This can cause accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
Understanding the weight limits of semi-trucks is crucial. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. It is typical to see weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed in order to ensure that they do not exceed maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits, they could be fined and even put in jail subject to their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups are given a higher limit because distributing the weight over a wider range of axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel can only be weighed up to 700 pounds per inch, however, if two tires are mounted on the same axle, it can be weighed to 1300 pounds.
There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while others allow triple or twin trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a piece of metal that sits above the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are available. They all have a sleeping area inside the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to lane restrictions, truck drivers must also comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as cars and, when they do, they may cause accidents. In most cases, the driver of the truck is the culprit in these accidents. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive longer than the limit, break hours-of-service rules, or become sleepy or distracted behind the driving.
Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left lane. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than passenger cars. This could result in a risky situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.
Certain states restrict the use of lanes in certain circumstances, while some states limit it to large trucks. In some cases the laws are determined by weight and axel limits, whereas in others, they may be based upon vehicle description or directions.
Although there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still be aware of local rules and observe the rules. Also, you should move to the left if you spot a truck in the passing lane, so that it does not hinder cars passing you.
Ownership
The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have a wealth of resources to use in order to force victims of accidents to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who advocate on their behalf before they know whether the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.
Due to their massive load and are much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is important to have a skilled attorney defend your rights and get you justice against these massive, powerful corporations.
Large truck accidents require a deep understanding of concepts that are derived from biology, chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations, medical and driving regulations. Our lawyers can identify any violations of these laws and explain to the jury what led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the negligence or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they are responsible for your present and future expenses. This includes trucking companies, owners, maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze the weather conditions that could have played a role in the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies can put together large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts, and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know whether you'll need legal recourse. 18 wheeler accident attorney nashville is why it's crucial to hire a capable attorney who can match their resources and bring them down to size.
A lawyer who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions will ease your burden and help you receive the compensation you're entitled to. This can be used to cover expenses such as medical bills that are costly car damage, lost wages due to missing work, as well as non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.
18-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and perform this maintenance could lead to devastating accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and special licensing for transport. The material is explosive, flammable or poisonous, all of which pose significant risks to other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.
A qualified 18-wheeler accident lawyer can determine the precise causes of your accident and liable for any party that are accountable. These could include the driver of the truck and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious liability.