What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered under the law governing 18 wheelers. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.
Trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can lead accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are set by most states. Weigh stations are common along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught in violation of these limits, they could be fined and even sentenced to jail depending on their criminal record and the state.
Axle groups have a greater limit of weight since the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread over more axles. This also permits the transport of larger cargo. For instance, a single tire on an axle can be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter but when there are two tires on the same axle, it can be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.
There are limitations on the types of trailers which can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, and others only permit twin or triple 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 couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both come with a sleeping space in the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to the lane restrictions Truck drivers must also be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers, and if they do, they could cause accidents. In many cases the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. This is due to truck drivers being able to drive for longer than allowed or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or become tired or distracted behind the wheel.
Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left side of the road. Trucks are slower to brake than cars for passenger use. This can be a dangerous issue, especially for those in smaller cars who may be stranded behind trucks when it suddenly stops or slows down.
Some states specifically target large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, and others restrict the use of the lane only in specific circumstances. These laws could be based on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other instances they could be solely based on the vehicle description.
Even if there is no law that is statewide however, you must check local regulations regarding limitations on lane usage and follow them. You should also move to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane.
Ownership
The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have an array of resources they can employ to pressure accident victims into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts working for their clients even before they know whether an accident victim will pursue legal action.
In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage due to the fact that they carry such large loads and are incredibly large compared to passenger vehicles. This is particularly relevant when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is vital to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.
Large vehicle accidents require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and trucking regulations from the federal government and medicine, driving standards and related fields. Our lawyers are able to discover violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury how it led to your accident.
Multiple parties could be accountable for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair portion of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that could have played a part in the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies have vast resources at their disposal and can quickly send teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and even engineers to create a defense against the victims of accidents. They begin this process before they know if you'll seek legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.
A lawyer with experience handling 18-wheeler collisions can relieve you of the burden and help you receive the compensation you deserve. This money can cover costs like medical bills that are expensive or vehicle damage, lost wages due to missing work, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are a complex vehicle that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep accurate records could lead to catastrophic accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized certification to transport. 18 wheeler accident lawyer aurora may be explosive, flammable, radiological, or poisonous, and all of these pose significant risks for other drivers on American roads. A serious accident can also occur if the load was not properly labeled and secured.
A trained 18 wheeler crash lawyer will determine the exact reason for your accident and hold any responsible parties who could be accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company as well as the owner of the trailer as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.