Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You 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 18 wheeler law. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. Most states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be adhered to. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed in order to make sure they do not exceed maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found violating these limits, they could be fined and even sentenced to jail according to their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on an wheel can only be weighed up to 650 pounds per inch however, when two tires are on the same axle, they can be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, while others only allow triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require the fifth wheel to be installed on the trailer. It is a round plate that is above the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs can be found. They both have a sleeping space inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not allowed to travel at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents are likely to occur. In many cases, it is the truck driver that is the one to blame. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are entitled to, violating hours-of-service rules or simply being tired or distracted behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also prohibited from driving in the left right lane. This is due to the fact that it takes a lot longer for trucks to stop than passenger vehicles. This could be a dangerous situation, especially for smaller vehicles that could get stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

There are some states that specifically single out large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, whereas other states limit the use of the lane under specific situations. These laws could be based either on axel or weight limits. In other situations they may be solely based on the vehicle description.

Even if there isn't a statewide law regarding lane restrictions you should still look over the local rules and abide by the rules. It is also recommended to move to the right when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have massive resources to pressure accident victims into accepting less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who represent them before they know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal action.

In the event of an accident 18-wheelers are usually responsible for a number of serious injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such large loads and are incredibly large in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is particularly relevant when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complex concepts that are derived from physics, chemistry, biology as well as federal trucking regulations medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers are able to identify any violations of these laws and present to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for the 18-wheeler truck crash. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all of the liable parties and make sure they are liable for their fair share of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking companies, owners as well as maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also study the weather conditions that could have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to provide large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know if you'll be seeking legal recourse. This is why it's essential to get an experienced attorney who will match their resources and reduce them to size.

A lawyer with experience in handling 18-wheeler crashes can ease the burden and help you receive the compensation you're due. This money can be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damage as well as lost income from missing work and other non-economic losses like suffering and pain.

18 wheeler accident lawyer wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and maintain accurate records could result in catastrophic accidents.

Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials that requires specialized training and specialized certification to transport. These materials can be explosive or flammable or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other motorists on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.

A competent 18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler accident attorney can determine the cause and blame the individuals who could be accountable. This may 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 responsibility.