What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered under the law of 18 wheels. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.
Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently press their drivers to complete longer hours and alter log books. This can cause accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
It is essential to understand the weight limitations of 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 truckers are weighed in order to confirm that they are not exceeding the maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits they could face fines and even sentenced to jail subject to their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups have a higher limit as distributing the weight across multiple axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows more cargo to be transported. For example, a single tire on an axle is able to be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter but when there are 2 tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.
There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, and others only permit twin or triple trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that is placed above the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are offered. They both have a sleeping space inside the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must observe traffic rules and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents are likely to occur. In many cases, it is the truck driver who is at fault. Truck drivers may be driving longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations and/or being distracted or asleep behind the wheel.
Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left side of the lane. This is because trucks take a lot longer trucks to stop than passenger vehicles. This could result in a dangerous situation, particularly for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.
Certain states specifically single out large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane. However, others restrict the use of the lane in specific situations. These laws can be based on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other situations they could be solely based on the vehicle description.
Although there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still check the local rules and abide by them. Also, you should move to the right side if you see trucks passing in the lane in order to not hinder cars approaching you.
Ownership
The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have a wealth of resources to employ to pressure accident victims to accept less than what they're entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts who advocate on their behalf even before they know whether the victim of an accident will pursue legal recourse.
In accidents, 18-wheelers are often responsible for severe injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such large load and are so massive compared to passenger vehicles. This is especially relevant when these trucks are involved in collisions with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a seasoned attorney fight for your rights and recover against these massive, powerful corporations.
Large vehicle accidents require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry as well as federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving and related fields. Our lawyers are able to discover any infringements of these laws and then show the jury the factors that caused your accident.
18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the negligent or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they are responsible for your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking companies owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Insurance
The trucking industry has a wealth of resources available and can quickly send teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts to build a defense against accident victims. They begin this process before they decide if you will to seek legal recourse. That is why it is so important to immediately retain a capable attorney who can match their resources and reduce them to size.
A lawyer with experience handling 18-wheeler collisions will relieve you of the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you're due. This money can be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damages, lost income from missed work and other non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-level, systematized maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to keep accurate records and to perform maintenance can cause disastrous accidents.
18 wheeler accident attorney milwaukee -trailers typically carry dangerous materials, which requires special training and specialized licensing to transport. The material is flammable, explosive, radiological, or poisonous, and all of these present significant dangers for other drivers on American roads. A fatal accident could occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured.
A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can pinpoint the exact causes and blame any other parties that may be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm or the owner of the trailer as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.