What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law regulates accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These massive vehicles must comply with strict federal guidelines for maintenance safety, training, and maintenance.
Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently force their drivers to work longer hours and alter log books. This can cause accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
Understanding the weight limits for semi-trucks is crucial. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by the majority of states. Weigh stations are prevalent on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they may be fined or even imprisoned based on the location and criminal record.
Axle groups are given a higher limit as distributing the weight across multiple axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows for more cargo to be carried. For example one tire on an axle can weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are two tires on that same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.
There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used with the tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, while others only permit twin or triple trailers. Many states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab tractor models as well as sleeper cabs are readily available. They both have sleeping spaces inside the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to lane restrictions truck drivers must comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks are not allowed to operate at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents can 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 entitled to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations or be asleep or distracted behind the wheel.
Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left lane. This is because trucks take a lot longer trucks to brake than cars. This could be a risky situation, particularly for smaller cars that may get stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.
There are states that specifically exempt big trucks and block them from using the left lane, whereas others only restrict the use of the lane under specific situations. 18 wheeler accident law firm meridian could be based either on weight or axel limit. In other instances they could be solely based on the vehicle's description.
Even if there's no law that is statewide that you can follow, you should be aware of local regulations regarding lane restrictions and follow the rules. You should also move over to the left if you see trucks passing in the lane, so that it does not hinder faster vehicles from approaching you.
Ownership
The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have a wealth of resources to use in order to force accident victims to accept less than what they're entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who act on their behalf before they even know if the accident victim will take legal action.
Due to their massive load and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause severe injuries and massive property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is important to hire an a skilled attorney fight for your rights and recover against these powerful, large corporations.
Large-scale accidents require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology and trucking regulations from the federal government as well as medical standards, driving, and other related areas. Our attorneys have the expertise to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury why it led to your accident.
There are many parties that can be responsible for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they pay their fair share for your present and future costs. This includes trucking companies, owners, maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies are able to provide large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They start this process even before they know if 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.
A lawyer who has expertise in dealing with 18-wheeler accidents can relieve you of the burden and help you receive the compensation you're entitled to. This can be used to cover expenses like steep medical bills, vehicle damage, the loss of earnings due to a lack of work, and other damages like pain and suffering.
18 wheelers are complex vehicles and require a high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and keep detailed records could result in disastrous accidents.
Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material that requires specialized training and specialized licenses to transport. These materials can be explosive or flammable or radiological, as well as poisonous. They all pose a major risk to other drivers on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could result in a catastrophic accident.
A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can determine the exact cause of the accident and pinpoint any individuals who could be accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking company as well as the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is called vicarious responsibility.