What Is 18 wheeler accident law firms Wheeler Law?

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

Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause accidents involving trucks to be devastating.

Weight Regulations

It is important to understand the weight restrictions for 18 wheeler accident lawsuits semi trucks. Most states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be adhered to. It is commonplace to see weigh stations along interstates where truck drivers are weighed in order to verify that they aren't exceeding the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits they could face fines and 18 wheeler Accident Lawsuits even put in jail depending on their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups are able to have a higher limit because distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be transported. A single tire on an wheel can weigh up to 665 pounds per inch however, if two tires are mounted on the same axle, it can be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer while some states allow triple or twin trailers. Furthermore, many states require five wheels on the trailer. It is a round plate that is above 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 a sleeping area into the tractor unit and are specifically designed to be used for hauling over the road.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks aren't allowed to travel at the same speed as cars for passengers. If they do, accidents may occur. In many instances the truck driver is the culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are permitted to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations, or being asleep or distracted behind the driving.

Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers aren't permitted to drive in the left or right. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This could be a dangerous situation, particularly for cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states restrict the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while some states limit the use of lanes for large trucks. In some instances the laws are based on weight and axel limits, whereas in others they could be based upon vehicle description or direction signs.

Even if there is no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules regarding lane restrictions and follow the rules. You should also shift to the right side if you spot trucks in the passing lane, so that it does not hinder faster cars from approaching you.

Ownership

Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have massive resources available to force victims of accidents into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers who advocate on their behalf even before they know if the victim of the accident will seek legal remedy.

Because they carry huge loads and are larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly so when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Large truck accidents require an understanding of complicated concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and federal trucking regulations medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers have the experience to discover violations of these laws and show the jury how they contributed to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligent or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the responsible parties and ensure that they are held accountable for your present and future expenses. This includes trucking companies as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze weather conditions that might have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies are able to deploy large teams of adjusters, lawyers engineers, and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know whether you will seek legal recourse. That's why it's crucial to hire an experienced attorney who will match their resources and bring them down to size.

An attorney who has expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents can relieve you of the burden and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. This money can be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work as well as other non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require a high-level, structured maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to do this maintenance and keep accurate records can result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials that requires specialized training and specialized certification to transport. These materials can be flammable or explosive and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. A catastrophic accident could also occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured.

A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer can determine the precise causes of your accident and liable for any party who may be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm as well as the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.