The 10 Most Terrifying Things About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers

What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents with commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the 18 wheeler law. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently press their drivers to complete longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents involving trucks to be devastating.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits of semi trucks is essential. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by the majority of states. There are numerous weigh stations along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they do not exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined or even imprisoned according to their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups have a higher limit because distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be carried. A single tire on a wheel can weigh up to 650 pounds per inch, but when two tires are mounted 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 a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, and others only permit twin or triple trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that sits above the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab tractor models and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both include a sleeping space inside the tractor unit.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by speed limits and traffic signals in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, if they do, they may cause accidents. In most cases the truck driver is at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving for longer than they are entitled to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or be distracted or asleep behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also prohibited from driving in the left side of the road. Trucks brake much slower than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a very dangerous situation, especially for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

Some states limit the use of lanes under certain circumstances, and some restrict it for big trucks. In some cases the laws are built around axel and weight limits, while in others, they may be based on vehicle descriptions or directions.

Even if there's no law that is statewide it is important to check local rules about the lane restrictions and adhere to the rules. You should also move to the right when you notice trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have massive resources available to pressure victims of accidents to accept less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts who work for their clients even before they know whether the victim of an accident will pursue legal recourse.

Because they carry huge loads and are larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to have an experienced lawyers fight for your rights and recover against these large, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics, federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers are able to find violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury how they contributed to your accident.

There are many parties that can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck accidents. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they pay their fair portion of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking firms as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that may have played a part in your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have a wealth of options available and can quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers to help defend accident victims. They begin the process before they know whether you will to pursue legal recourse. It is crucial to hire an attorney who can match their resources and helping them decrease in size.

An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer will take the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your hands and concentrate on securing the compensation you're due. This money can 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 a complex vehicle that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to keep detailed documents and carry out this maintenance can lead to catastrophe-causing accidents.

Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized licensing to transport. These materials may be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.

A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can determine the cause of the accident and pinpoint any parties that may be accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company and the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.