Notes

A Productive Rant About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers
What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered by the law governing 18 wheelers. These massive vehicles must comply with strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently press their drivers to complete longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limitations of semi-trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be observed. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates where truck drivers are weighed in order to ensure that they do not exceed the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a truck driver is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they may be fined or even imprisoned based on the state and their criminal record.

Axle groups are granted an increased limit because spreading the weight across multiple axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be carried. For example a single tire on an axle may be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are two tires on that same axle it could be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, and others only allow triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both have a sleeping area in the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions


In addition to restrictions on lane usage truck drivers also must comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, if they do, they could cause accidents. In most cases, it is the truck driver that is the one to blame. Truck drivers may be driving for longer than they are entitled to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations or be distracted or asleep behind the wheel.

Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left side of the lane. This is due to the fact that it takes a lot longer for trucks to brake than cars. This could create a risky situation, particularly for smaller vehicles that could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

There are states that specifically single out large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane, whereas others restrict the usage of the lane in certain circumstances. In certain instances, these laws are based on weight and axel limits, while in other they could be based on vehicle description or directions.

Although there's no statewide regulation on lane limits, you should still look over the local rules and abide by the rules. You should also shift to the right side if you spot a truck in the passing lane so that it does not hinder faster vehicles from taking over.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have a vast array of resources to force victims of accidents to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who represent them before they even know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.

Due to their massive load and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage in accidents. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and federal trucking regulations, medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers are able to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury how it led to your accident.

There are many parties that can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they are liable for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies and owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that could have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

The trucking industry has a wealth of options available and can quickly send teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts to create a defense against accident victims. They begin this process before they are aware of whether you'll be seeking legal recourse. That's why it's vital to immediately hire an experienced attorney who can match their resources and cut them to size.

A lawyer who has expertise in dealing with 18-wheeler accidents will relieve you of the burden and help you get the compensation you're entitled to. The money will cover costs like steep medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages from missing work, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are highly complex vehicles and require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and perform this maintenance can result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous materials, that require specialized training and a license. The material may be flammable, explosive, 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 is not properly labelled and secured.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash lawyer can determine the precise causes of your accident and hold liable any parties who may be responsible. 18 wheeler accident case westminster could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.

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