What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered under the law of 18 wheels. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often pressure their drivers to work longer hours and alter log books. This can lead to devastating trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by the majority of states. There are numerous weigh stations along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found breaking these limits they could face fines and even put in jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are given an increased limit because spreading the weight across more axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel can weigh up to 650 pounds per inch, however, if two tires are mounted on the same axle, they can be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, while other states only permit triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require fifth wheels on the trailer. This is a circular plate over the drive wheels which joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit. They are designed to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to traffic rules and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks are not allowed to operate at the same speed as cars used by passengers. If they do, accidents may occur. In a lot of cases, the truck driver is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving for longer than they are permitted to, breaking hours-of-service regulations and/or being asleep or distracted behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left right lane. This is because it takes much longer for trucks to brake than passenger vehicles. This can be a dangerous issue, particularly for those in smaller cars who may be stranded behind the truck when it slows or stops abruptly.

There are states that specifically single out large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, while other states limit the use of the lane only in specific situations. These laws could be based on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other situations they may be based solely on the vehicle description.

Even if there's no statewide law governing lane restrictions, you should still be aware of local rules and adhere to the rules. You should also move over to the right when you spot trucks in the passing lane so that it does not block faster cars from overtaking you.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have a wealth of resources available to force accident victims into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who advocate on their behalf before they even know if the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheeler accident lawyers wheelers frequently cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly relevant when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and related fields. Our lawyers are able to uncover violations of these laws and show the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

There are many parties that can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck crashes. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair part of your current and expected expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies of maintenance contractors, even the drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that might have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can deploy large teams of lawyers, adjusters, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know if you'll need legal recourse. That's why it's crucial to hire an experienced attorney who will match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler Accident Lawsuits wheeler accident lawyer will help you deal with these corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're due. This money can be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and other non-economic losses like pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to maintain detailed records and to perform maintenance can lead to catastrophe-causing accidents.

Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials, which requires special training and specialized licensing to transport. These materials can be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a major danger to other drivers on American highways. A fatal accident could occur if the load is not properly labelled and secured.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can determine the cause of the accident and pinpoint any parties who are responsible. 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.