Getting Tired Of 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers? 10 Inspirational Sources That Will Rekindle Your Love
What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the law of 18 wheels. These massive vehicles must comply with strict federal guidelines for maintenance as well as safety and training.
Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently press their drivers to complete longer hours and alter log books. This can cause accidents involving trucks to be devastating.
Weight Regulations
It is essential to be aware of the weight limitations for semi-trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be adhered to. It is commonplace to see weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed in order to verify that they do not exceed the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a truck driver gets discovered to be violating these limits, they could be fined, or even jailed based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.
Axle groups have a higher weight limit because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is distributed over more axles. This also allows for the carriage of more cargo. For example one tire on an axle is able to be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.
There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, and others only permit twin or triple trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are day cab tractor and sleeper cabs that incorporate 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 follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks cannot travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents could occur. In most cases, it is the driver of the truck who is at fault. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive longer than the limit or break the rules of hours-of-service, or get sleepy or distracted behind the driving.
Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left right lane. Trucks brake much slower than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can be a very dangerous situation, particularly for smaller vehicles that could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.
Certain states specifically single out large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane. However, other states limit the use of the lane under certain circumstances. These laws may be based either on weight or axel limit. In other cases they may be solely based on vehicle description.
Even if there's no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules on the lane restriction and adhere to them. It is also recommended to move to the left when you see a truck blocking the passing lane.
Ownership
The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have an array of resources they can make use of to force accident victims to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers who work on their behalf even before they know if an accident victim will pursue legal action.
In accidents 18-wheelers are usually responsible for severe injuries and property damage due to the fact that they are able to carry heavy loads and are incredibly large in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is especially relevant when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a seasoned attorney fight for your rights and recovery against these powerful, large corporations.
Accidents involving large vehicles require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry as well as federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and other related areas. Our attorneys are able to discover any infringements of these laws, and then show the jury the factors that led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the careless or reckless actions of several parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they are responsible for your present and future expenses. This includes owners of trucking companies, trucking companies of maintenance contractors, even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate the weather conditions that could have played a part in your accident.
Insurance

Trucking companies can send large teams of adjusters, lawyers, engineers and experts quickly. They start the process before they know if you intend to pursue legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and helping them decrease in size.
An experienced 18 wheeler crash lawyer can take the burden of dealing with these corporations off your hands and concentrate on securing the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to pay medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work, and other non-economic damages like suffering and pain.
18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain accurate records could lead to disastrous accidents.
Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous materials, which require specialized training and certification. This material can be explosive, flammable, or toxic, all of which present significant dangers for other drivers on American roads. A serious accident can also occur if the load is not properly labelled and secured.
A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can pinpoint the exact cause and blame any parties who are responsible. 18 wheeler accident attorney elk grove may include the truck driver as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is called vicarious responsibility.