What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the law of Brooksville 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer wheels. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Trucking companies often make their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can lead trucking accidents to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are set by most states. It is typical to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed to confirm that they are not exceeding the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is discovered to be violating these limits, they could be fined or even jailed depending on the state of their residence and criminal record.

Axle groups have a higher weight limit because the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed across more axles. This also allows for the transport of larger cargo. A single tire on a wheel can only be weighed up to 665 pounds per inch but when two tires are mounted on the same axle, it could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the kinds of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while other states allow twin or triple trailers. Some states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate that sits over 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 a sleeping area inside the tractor unit. They are made for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must observe traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks are not allowed to travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents could occur. In many cases the driver of the truck is the culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are entitled to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations or be distracted or sleepy behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also prohibited from driving in the left lane. This is because trucks take longer trucks to brake than passenger vehicles. This can be a serious problem, especially for people in cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind a truck when it suddenly stops or slows down.

Some states specifically exempt large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane. However, other states limit the use of the lane under certain circumstances. These laws can be based either on weight or axel limits. In other instances they may be based solely on the vehicle's description.

Even if there's no law that is statewide, you should check local regulations regarding the lane restriction and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the right if you see a truck in the aransas pass 18 wheeler accident law firm lane in order to not hinder faster cars from approaching you.

Ownership

Companies operating 18 wheelers and trucking have a wealth of resources available to force victims of accidents into accepting far less than they should. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who represent them before they know whether the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.

Because they carry huge loads and are much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers often cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly the case when they collide with motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations.

Large truck accidents require a thorough understanding of concepts that are derived from biology, chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers have the experience to identify violations of these laws, and then show the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

Multiple parties can be responsible for truck accidents involving erie 18 wheeler accident lawsuit-wheelers. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they pay their fair share of your current and expected expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze weather conditions that might be a factor in your accident.

Insurance

The trucking industry has a wealth of resources available to them and can swiftly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers, engineers, and experts to help defend the victims of accidents. They start this process before they even decide if you will to pursue legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size.

A lawyer with expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents can relieve you of the burden and help you receive the compensation you're due. This money can cover costs such as medical bills that are costly car damage, loss of wages due to absence from work, and also non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are highly complex vehicles and require a high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep accurate records could lead to tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized certification to transport. The material could be explosive, flammable or toxic, all of which could pose a significant risk to other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash lawyer can pinpoint the exact reason for your accident and hold accountable any other parties who may be responsible. These could include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious responsibility.