9 Things Your Parents Teach You About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers

What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law regulates accidents that involve commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance safety, training, and maintenance.

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work for longer and alter logbooks. This can lead to catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limitations for semi trucks. Most states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be observed. There are numerous weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found violating these limits, they could be fined and even put in jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups have a higher weight limit because the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed over more axles. This also permits the carriage of more cargo. For example one tire on an axle may weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are 2 tires on that same axle it can be measured at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, whereas others only permit triple or twin trailers. Many states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs which include a sleeping area into the tractor unit. They are designed to be used for hauling over the road.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions truck drivers must comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to travel at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents can occur. In many instances the driver of the truck is the one at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers may be driving for longer than they are allowed to, violating hours-of-service rules, or being asleep or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left lane. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than cars for passenger use. This could result in a dangerous situation, especially for smaller cars that may be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states restrict the use of lanes in certain circumstances, and some restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. These laws can be based either on weight or axel limits. In other cases, they could be solely based on the vehicle's description.

Even if there is no statewide law, you should check local rules on the lane restriction and adhere to them. You should also shift to the left when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have a vast array of resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents to accept a lesser amount than they should. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who advocate on their behalf before they know whether the accident victim will take legal action.

In accidents, 18-wheelers are often responsible for a number of serious injuries and property damage because they are able to carry heavy loads and are so large relative to passenger vehicles. This is particularly the case when they collide into other motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.

Large truck accidents require a deep understanding of concepts from the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our attorneys have the expertise to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury how it led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the careless or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all of the accountable parties and ensure they are paid their fair part of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking firms as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into weather conditions that could have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to put together large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They start this process even before they know whether you will seek legal recourse. This is why it's vital to immediately hire an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and cut them to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawsuit (Going at Glamorouslengths) wheeler crash lawyer will alleviate the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your hands and concentrate on securing the compensation you're entitled to. This money can be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damages loss of income due to missed work, and other non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are highly complex vehicles and require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain detailed logs can lead to catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized certification to transport. These materials could be flammable or explosive and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a serious danger to other drivers on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could cause a devastating accident.

A competent attorney for 18-wheelers can pinpoint the exact cause and blame the parties that may be responsible. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm as well as the owner of the trailer, as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is called vicarious responsibility.