How To Explain 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers To Your Grandparents

What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

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

Unfortunately, trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Most states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be adhered to. It is commonplace to see weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed in order to confirm that they do not exceed the maximum limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught breaking these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even sent to jail depending on their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are able to have an upper limit due to the fact that distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be carried. A single tire on an wheel can only be weighed up to 650 pounds per inch, but when two tires are mounted on the same axle, they could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer while others only allow triple or twin trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate which sits above the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are both day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs which include a sleeping area inside the tractor unit and are designed to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must abide by speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. 18 wheeler accident lawyer fayetteville cannot drive at the same speed as cars, and should they do, they could cause accidents. In most cases, the truck driver is the one at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are permitted to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or simply being asleep or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers are not permitted to drive in the left or right. Trucks brake more slowly than cars for passenger use. This can be a very dangerous situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could get stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states specifically exclude large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane. However, others limit the use of the lane under certain circumstances. In certain instances, these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, while in others, they may be based on vehicle description or directions.

Even if there's no state-wide law regarding lane restrictions you must still review the local rules and follow them. It is also recommended to move to the left when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have a wealth of resources to force victims of accidents into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers working for their clients even before they know whether the victim of an accident will seek legal remedy.

In the event of an accident, 18-wheelers are often responsible for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage because they carry such heavy loads and are incredibly large compared to passenger vehicles. This is especially true when these trucks collide with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers are able to find any violations of these laws and present to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the careless or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they are liable for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies, maintenance contractors, and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can send large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, and experts quickly. They start this process even before they know whether you'll need 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 will alleviate the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on securing the compensation you are entitled to. This can be used to cover expenses like steep medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages due to missing work, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

18 wheelers are complex vehicles and require a high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and perform this maintenance could lead to catastrophe-causing accidents.

Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. The material could be explosive, flammable, radiological or toxic, all of which could pose a significant risk for other drivers on American roads. An accident that is catastrophic could happen if the load is not properly labelled and secured.

A qualified 18-wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact cause of your crash and hold any responsible parties who could be accountable. This could 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 called vicarious liability.