firchange4

What Is 18 Wheeler Law? Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered by the law governing 18 wheelers. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training. Unfortunately, trucking companies often pressure their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause accidents with trucks that are catastrophic. Weight Regulations Understanding the weight limits for semi-trucks is crucial. Most states have both single axle and group axle weight limits which must be adhered to. There are numerous weigh stations on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is discovered to be violating these limits, they may be fined or even jailed depending on the state of their residence and criminal record. Axle groups are granted a higher limit because distributing the weight across more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows more cargo to be carried. For instance, a single tire on an axle may be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are two tires on that same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire. There are restrictions on the types of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, whereas others only allow triple or twin trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate which sits over the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are available. They all have sleeping spaces inside the tractor unit. Lane Restrictions In addition to the lane restrictions, truck drivers must also follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to drive at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents could occur. In a lot of cases, the truck driver is at fault in these accidents. This is because truck drivers may drive longer than the limit, break hours-of-service rules, or get sleepy or distracted behind the driving. Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers are not permitted to drive in the left side of the lane. Trucks are slower to brake than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This could create a dangerous situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop. Some states specifically single out large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, while others only restrict the use of the lane in certain circumstances. In some cases the laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, while in others they could be based on the description of the vehicle or directions. Even if there's no law that is statewide it is important to check local rules about lane restrictions and follow them. You should also shift to the right when you see a truck blocking the passing lane. Ownership The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have massive resources available to force accident victims into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who advocate on their behalf before they even know if the victim of an accident will take legal action. In accidents 18-wheelers can be blamed for a plethora of injuries and property damage due to the fact that they are able to carry heavy loads and are incredibly large relative to passenger vehicles. This is particularly relevant when they collide with motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a seasoned attorney fight for your rights and get you justice against these massive, powerful corporations. Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complicated concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers are able to find any violations of these laws, and show the jury what caused your accident. 18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the careless or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure they are liable for their fair part of your current and expected costs. This includes trucking firms owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident. Insurance Trucking companies can put together large teams of lawyers, adjusters, engineers and experts quickly. They start the process before they know whether you are going to seek legal recourse. 18 wheeler accident lawyer dearborn is essential to find an attorney who can match their resources and helping them decrease in size. An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can take the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on securing the compensation you deserve. This money can cover costs like medical bills that are expensive or vehicle damage, the loss of earnings due to a lack of work, and non-economic injuries like suffering and pain. 18 wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain accurate records can result in disastrous accidents. Tractor-trailers can be used to transport hazardous substances, that require special training and licenses. They can be explosive or flammable, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other drivers on American highways. An accident that is catastrophic could happen if the load is not properly labelled and secured. A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer can pinpoint the exact cause of your crash and hold any responsible parties that are accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company and the owner of the trailer as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious liability.