summercream40

What Is 18 Wheeler Law? Accidents caused by commercial truck drivers their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the law governing 18 wheelers. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training. Unfortunately, trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can cause catastrophic trucking accidents. Weight Regulations Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Most states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be observed. Weigh stations are commonplace on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found violating these limits and is fined, they could be penalized and even sentenced to jail subject to their criminal history and the state. Axle groups are able to have an increased limit because spreading the weight across multiple axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be transported. For instance one tire on an axle can weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on the same axle, it could be measured at 1300 pounds per tire. There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer, which is a round plate above the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs that incorporate sleeping areas inside the tractor unit. They are designed to be used for hauling over the road. Lane Restrictions Truck drivers must abide by traffic rules and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, even if they do, they could cause accidents. In most cases, it is the driver of the truck that is the one to blame. Truck drivers could be driving for longer than they are permitted to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or be distracted or sleepy behind the wheel. Truck drivers are also prohibited from driving in the left the lane. Trucks brake much slower than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This can pose a danger issue, especially for those in cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind trucks when it slows or stops suddenly. There are some states that specifically exclude large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, and others only restrict the use of the lane only in certain circumstances. These laws may be based either on weight or axel limits. In other instances, they could be based solely on the vehicle's description. Even if there's no statewide law that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules regarding lane restrictions and follow the rules. Also, you should move to the right when you see a truck blocking the passing lane. Ownership Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have a wealth of resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and even engineers who work on their behalf even before they know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal recourse. Because they can carry massive loads and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause massive injuries and property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is important to hire an a seasoned attorney fight for your rights and get you justice against these powerful, large corporations. Large-scale accidents require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards, and other related areas. Our attorneys are able to discover any infringements of these laws and present to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident. Multiple parties can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck crashes. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they are responsible for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies, owners of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. 18 wheeler accident lawyer miami beach will also study the weather conditions that could have contributed to the accident. Insurance Trucking companies have vast resources available and can quickly send teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts to develop a strategy for defense against accident victims. They start this process even before they know if you'll need legal recourse. That's why it's crucial to hire an experienced attorney who will match their resources and reduce them to size. An attorney who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions can relieve you of the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you're due. The money could be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damage as well as lost income from missing work as well as other non-economic damages like suffering and pain. 18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep detailed records can result in devastating accidents. Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material that requires specialized training and specialized licensing to transport. The material could be explosive, flammable, or toxic, all of which could pose a significant risk to other drivers on American roads. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also cause a devastating accident. A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can determine the exact causes and blame any other parties that may be accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm or the owner of the trailer, as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.