What Is petersburg 18 wheeler accident lawyer Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law deals with accidents that involve commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, Vimeo safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently pressure their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead to catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

It is crucial to know the weight limitations for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by most states. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed to confirm that they do not exceed maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even put in jail subject to their criminal history and the state.

Axle groups are granted a higher limit because distributing the weight over more axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be transported. For instance a single tire mounted on an axle can be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are two tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.

There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while other states only permit triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require fifth wheels on the trailer which is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate an area for sleeping inside the tractor [Redirect-302] unit and are designed for over-the-road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must observe speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and even if they do, they can cause accidents. In many cases the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers may be driving for longer than they are entitled to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations or simply being asleep or distracted behind the steering wheel.

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

Certain states specifically target large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, and others only restrict the use of the lane only in specific situations. In certain cases the laws are determined by weight and axel limits, whereas in others they may be based on vehicle description or directions.

Even if there isn't a statewide regulation on lane limits, you should still look over the local rules and adhere to them. It is also recommended to move to the right when you see a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have a vast array of resources at their disposal to force victims of accidents to accept a lesser amount than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, engineers, and experts who work on their behalf even before they know if the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.

Because they can carry massive loads and are larger than passenger vehicles, fayette 18 wheeler accident Law firm wheelers frequently 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 crucial to have an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and trucking regulations from the federal government as well as medical standards, driving, and other related fields. Our attorneys are able to find any violations of these laws and show the jury what led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligence or reckless acts of a number of parties. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all of the accountable parties and ensure they are liable for their fair portion of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners and maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident.

Insurance

The trucking industry has a wealth of options available and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, engineers, and experts to develop a strategy for defense against the victims of accidents. They start this process even before they are aware of whether you'll seek legal recourse. This is why it is crucial to hire an experienced attorney who will match their resources and reduce them to size.

An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer will alleviate the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on getting you the compensation you're due. The money could be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work and other non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are complex vehicles that require a high-level, structured maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to keep accurate logs and perform the necessary maintenance can lead to disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material that requires specialized training and specialized licenses to transport. The material is flammable, explosive, radiological or poisonous, all of which present significant dangers to other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also result in a catastrophic accident.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can determine the exact cause and blame any parties that may be accountable. This could include the driver of the truck as well as the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is called vicarious responsibility.