What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

Trucking companies often make their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can result in catastrophic trucking crashes.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight limits for semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are set by the majority of states. It is typical to see weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed to make sure they do not exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught breaking these limits and is fined, they could be penalized or even imprisoned subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups have a higher limit on weight because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread across multiple axles. This also allows for the transportation of more cargo. A single tire on a wheel can only weigh up to 665 pounds per inch however, if two tires are mounted on the same axle, they could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while other states only permit twin or triple trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer which is a round plate that is above the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractor and sleeper cabs, which incorporate an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit. They are made for over the road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must observe traffic rules and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as cars for passengers. If they do, accidents could occur. In many instances the driver of the truck is the one at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations, or being tired or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left right lane. This is due to the fact that trucks take a lot longer trucks to brake than cars. This could be a risky issue, particularly for those in smaller cars who may be stuck behind a truck if it stops abruptly or slows down.

Certain states specifically exclude big trucks and block them from using the left lane, and others only restrict the usage of the lane in specific situations. In some instances these laws are built around axel and weight limits, whereas in others, they may be based upon vehicle description or directions.

Even if there's no statewide law however, you must check local rules regarding lane restrictions and follow them. You should also move over to the left if you see a truck in the pass lane so that it does not hinder faster vehicles from taking over.

Ownership

The Chino 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheeler and trucking firms have an array of resources they can use in order to force victims of accidents to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers working on their behalf even before they know whether the victim of the accident will seek legal remedy.

In the event of an accident, 18-wheelers are often responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such hefty loads and are incredibly large when compared to passenger cars. This is especially true when these trucks collide into other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts that are derived from biology, chemistry and physics and federal trucking regulations, medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers can identify any violations of these laws, and show the jury what led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents are often caused by the negligent or reckless acts of a number 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 expected expenses. This includes trucking firms owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can provide large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, and experts quickly. They start this process even before they know if you'll need legal recourse. This is why it's vital to immediately hire a capable attorney who can match their resources and reduce them to size.

A lawyer who has experience in handling 18-wheeler crashes can ease the burden and help you obtain the compensation you're due. The money could be used to pay for medical costs, vehicle damage loss of income due to missed work as well as other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and to perform maintenance can lead to devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized licensing to transport. These materials can be explosive or flammable or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a risk to other drivers on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could also result in a catastrophic accident.

A competent attorney for 18-wheelers will determine the exact causes and blame any other individuals who could be accountable. These could include the driver of the truck as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.