What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered under the law of 18 wheels. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance security, safety, and training.
Trucking companies often make their drivers to work for longer and alter logbooks. This can cause accidents involving trucks to be devastating.
Weight Regulations
Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is typical to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed to verify that they are not exceeding the maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits, they could be fined or even imprisoned subject to their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups are given a higher limit because distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be carried. For instance a single tire on an axle can be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are 2 tires on that same axle it can be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.
There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, whereas others only permit triple or twin trailers. In addition, some states require the fifth wheel to be installed on the trailer. It is a round plate that is above the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors and sleeper cabs are offered. They both have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to the lane restrictions Truck drivers must also be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks are not allowed to drive at the same speeds as cars for passengers. If they do, accidents may occur. In many instances the truck driver is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are entitled to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations or simply being asleep or distracted behind the driving.
Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left the lane. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a very dangerous situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.
There are some states that specifically exempt large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, while others restrict the usage of the lane in certain circumstances. These laws could be based either on axel or weight limits. In other instances they could be based solely on vehicle's description.
Even if there is no law that is statewide it is important to check local regulations regarding the lane restrictions and adhere to the rules. 18 wheeler accident case delaware should also shift to the right side if you see trucks in the passing lane in order to not block faster cars from taking over.
Ownership
Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have a wealth of resources available to force victims of accidents to accept a lesser amount than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and lawyers working on their behalf before they know whether the victim of the accident will seek legal remedy.
In accidents 18-wheelers are usually responsible for a number of serious injuries and property damage because they carry such hefty load and are so massive in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to have an experienced lawyers defend your rights and recovery against these powerful, massive corporations.
Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics and federal trucking regulations, medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers can identify any violations of these laws, and explain to the jury what led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the negligence or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they are held accountable for your present and future costs. This includes trucking firms as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies are able to send large teams of lawyers, adjusters, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they even know whether you are going to seek legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.
An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer will help you deal with these large corporations off your hands and focus on obtaining the compensation you are entitled to. The money will cover costs such as high medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as the loss of earnings due to a lack of work, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
18 wheelers are highly complex vehicles and require high-end, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and maintain accurate logs can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized certification to transport. They can be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a risk to other drivers on American highways. A serious accident can also occur if the cargo is not properly labelled and secured.
A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can pinpoint the exact cause of the accident and pinpoint any parties who are accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm as well as the owner of the trailer as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.