What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law deals with accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles must be subject to strict federal guidelines for maintenance, safety, and training.
Trucking companies often force their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can result in catastrophic trucking accidents.
Weight Regulations
It is important to understand the weight limitations for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by most states. It is commonplace to see weigh stations along interstates where truck drivers are weighed in order to confirm that they are not exceeding the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found violating these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even sentenced to jail according to their criminal record and the state.
Axle groups have a higher weight limit due to the fact that the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread across more axles. This also permits the transport of more cargo. A single tire on an wheel can weigh up to 665 pounds per inch however, if two tires are on the same axle, it can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.
There are limitations on the kinds of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, while others only allow triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a plate which sits over the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors and sleeper cabs which include a sleeping area inside the tractor unit and are designed for over the road hauling.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to restrictions on lane usage Truck drivers must also adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't able to travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, when they do, they might cause accidents. In a lot of cases the truck driver is the one at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are allowed to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations, or being tired or distracted behind the driving.
Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left right lane. Trucks are slower to brake than cars for passenger use. This could result in a risky situation, especially for cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.
Some states limit the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while others restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. In some instances the laws are determined by weight and axel limits, while in others they may be based on vehicle descriptions or direction signs.
Even if there's no law that is statewide it is important to check local rules on the lane restrictions and adhere to them. You should also shift to the right when you see trucks blocking the lane.
Ownership
Companies operating 18 wheelers and trucking have a wealth of resources available to force accident victims into accepting less than they deserve. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers that work on their behalf before they know if an accident victim will pursue legal recourse.
Because they are able to carry enormous loads and are much bigger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause massive injuries and property damage in accidents. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is important to hire an a seasoned attorney defend your rights and recovery against these massive, powerful corporations.
Accidents involving large vehicles require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and other related areas. Our lawyers are able to find any violations of these laws and show the jury what led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the negligent or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the responsible parties and ensure that they are responsible for your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking companies as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. 18 wheeler accident attorney iowa will also study weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies have a wealth of resources available to them and can quickly send teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and even engineers to help defend accident victims. They begin this process before they know whether you'll seek legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.
An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can relieve the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on securing the compensation you deserve. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and other damages that are not economic like pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep detailed records could result in tragic accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous materials, that require special training and licensing. The material is explosive, flammable, radiological 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 also cause a devastating accident.
A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can determine the exact cause and blame the parties who are responsible. This could include the truck driver or the trucking company the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.