What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law covers accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance security, safety, and training.
Unfortunately, trucking companies often pressure their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause trucking accidents to be catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
It is crucial to know the weight limits for semi-trucks. The majority of states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be observed. There are numerous weigh stations on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they do not over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is discovered to be violating these limits, they could be penalized or even jailed depending on the state of their residence and criminal record.
Axle groups have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows more cargo to be transported. For instance a single tire mounted on an axle is able to be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are 18 wheeler accident settlement simi valley on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.
There are restrictions on the kinds of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while others permit triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require the fifth wheel to be installed on the trailer. This is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs which include an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed for over the road hauling.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to restrictions on lane usage truck drivers must comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to operate at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents may occur. In a lot of cases, it's the driver of the truck who is at fault. Truck drivers may be driving for longer than they are permitted to, violating hours-of-service rules or be distracted or asleep behind the wheel.
Truck drivers are also prohibited from driving in the left side of the road. Trucks brake more slowly than cars for passenger use. This could result in a risky situation, particularly for smaller cars that may get stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.
Some states limit the use of lanes under certain circumstances, and some restrict it for large trucks. These laws could be based either on weight or axel limits. In other instances, they could be solely based on the vehicle's description.
Even if there is no law that is statewide however, you must check local rules on the lane restrictions and adhere to them. It is also recommended to move to the right side if you spot trucks passing in the lane in order to not hinder faster cars from passing you.
Ownership
The trucking and 18-wheeler companies have many resources they can utilize to force accident victims into accepting less than they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who advocate on their behalf before they know if the victim of an accident will take legal action.
In the event of an accident, 18-wheelers are often responsible for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage due to the fact that they carry such heavy load and are so massive in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is particularly so when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is vital to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.
Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts that are derived from biology, chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations, medicine, and driving standards. Our attorneys have the expertise to identify violations of these laws and explain to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligent or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the responsible parties and ensure that they are held accountable for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also study weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies have an abundance of resources at their disposal and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts to help defend accident victims. They start this process even before they know if you'll seek legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and reducing them in size.
A lawyer with experience handling 18-wheeler collisions will relieve you of the burden and help you obtain the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and other non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to keep accurate records and perform this maintenance can cause disastrous accidents.
Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous materials, that require specialized training and a license. These materials may be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other drivers on American highways. A fatal accident could occur if the load was not properly labelled and secured.
A qualified 18 wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact causes of your accident and hold liable any parties who 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 manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.