What Is 18 wheeler accident lawsuits Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler accident attorneys wheeler law covers accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can lead accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is essential to understand the weight limitations for semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by the majority of states. There are numerous weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver is found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be penalized or even jailed based on the state of their residence and criminal record.

Axle groups are able to have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight across more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows more cargo to be carried. For instance a single tire mounted on an axle can weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are two tires on the same axle, it can be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer while others only allow triple or twin trailers. Some states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that is placed above the drive wheels, and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs that have sleeping areas inside the tractor unit. They are made to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles, and should they do, they could cause accidents. In many cases, it is the driver of the truck that is the one to blame. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are permitted to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations and/or being asleep or distracted behind the wheel.

Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers aren't permitted to drive in the left lane. This is because it takes much longer for trucks to brake than passenger vehicles. This could be a risky problem, especially for people with smaller cars who could be stuck behind a truck when it slows or stops abruptly.

Some states restrict the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. In some cases, these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, whereas in other they may be based on vehicle descriptions or directions.

Even if there isn't a statewide law on lane restrictions, you should still look over the local rules and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the right when you see trucks passing in the lane in order to not block faster cars from overtaking you.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have massive resources to force accident victims into accepting less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who act on their behalf before they even know whether the victim of an accident will take legal action.

Due to their massive load and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause severe injuries and massive property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers have the experience to uncover violations of these laws, and then show the jury why it led to your accident.

There are many parties that can be responsible for the 18-wheeler truck crash. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all responsible parties and ensure they are liable for their fair part of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners, maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that may be a factor in the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can put together large teams of lawyers, adjusters, engineers and experts quickly. They start the process before they know whether you will to pursue legal recourse. This is why it is vital to immediately hire an experienced attorney who will match their resources and bring them down to size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer will help you deal with these big corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. This money can cover costs such as medical bills that are costly and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages from missing work, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain detailed logs can lead to devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers often are used to transport hazardous materials, that require specialized training and certification. The material is flammable, explosive, radiological or poisonous, all of which pose significant risks to other drivers on American roads. A serious accident can also occur if the cargo is not properly labelled and secured.

A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact reason for your accident and hold accountable any other parties who are responsible. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm and the owner of the trailer, as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.