What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law regulates accidents with commercial truck drivers and 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 longer and alter logbooks. This can lead to devastating trucking crashes.
Weight Regulations
It is essential to understand the weight limitations of semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by the majority of states. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they do not exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be penalized or even jailed depending on the state they reside in and their criminal record.
Axle groups are granted an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over a wider range of axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel is only weighed up to 650 pounds per inch however, if two tires are on the same axle, it could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.
There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, while other states allow twin or triple trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a piece of metal that sits above the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs can be found. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit pompano beach 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 aren't able to travel at the same speed as vehicles for passengers, and if they do, they might cause accidents. In many instances, the truck driver is the one at fault in these accidents. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive for longer than allowed or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or become sleepy or distracted behind the wheel.
Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left lane. Trucks brake much slower than cars for passenger use. This can be a serious problem, particularly for those in cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind the truck when it slows or stops abruptly.
There are states that specifically single out large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane, while others only restrict the use of the lane in specific situations. In certain instances these laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, whereas in others, they may be based on the description of the vehicle or directions.
Even if there is no statewide law it is important to check local rules regarding limitations on lane usage and follow them. It is also recommended to move to the left when you see trucks blocking the lane.
Ownership
The 18-wheeler and trucking companies have many resources they can make use of to force accident victims to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and even engineers working on their behalf 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 frequently cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is especially true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to find a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.
Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers have the knowledge to discover violations of these laws, and then show the jury why it led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligence or reckless actions of several parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties responsible and ensure that they are liable for your present and future expenses. This includes trucking firms and owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies have vast resources available and are able to quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts to create a defense against accident victims. They begin this process before they know if you'll be seeking legal recourse. That is why it is essential to get a capable attorney who can match their resources and bring them down to size.
An experienced 18 wheeler crash lawyer can help you deal with these large corporations off your hands and focus on getting you the compensation you deserve. This money can be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work and other non-economic losses such as suffering and pain.
18-wheelers are a complex vehicle which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to keep accurate documents and carry out this maintenance can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous materials that require specialized training and a license. These materials could be flammable or explosive or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a serious danger to other drivers on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also cause a devastating accident.
A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney will determine the exact cause and blame the parties that may be accountable. This could include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is called vicarious liability.