This Week's Top Stories About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers
What Is 18 Wheeler Law? 18 wheeler law protects against accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety and training. Unfortunately, trucking companies often press their drivers to complete longer hours and alter log books. This can lead to devastating trucking crashes. Weight Regulations It is essential to be aware of the weight limitations of semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by most states. Weigh stations are common along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure they do not exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver gets found to be in violation of these limits, they could be fined or even imprisoned, based on the location and criminal record. Axle groups have a greater limit of weight since the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed across multiple axles. This also allows for the carriage of more cargo. A single tire on a wheel can weigh up to 700 pounds per inch, however, if two tires are mounted on the same axle, it can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds. There are also limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, whereas others only permit twin or triple trailers. Many states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate which sits above the drive wheels and couples (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs are readily available. They both include a sleeping space in the tractor unit. Lane Restrictions Truck drivers must obey speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks aren't able to travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles, and if they do, they could cause accidents. In many instances, it's the truck driver that is the one to blame. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are entitled to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations or simply being tired or distracted behind the wheel. Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left right lane. This is because trucks take longer trucks to brake than cars. This could create a dangerous situation, especially for smaller vehicles that could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop. There are states that specifically target large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane, and others restrict the use of the lane only in specific situations. These laws may be based on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other cases they could be solely based on the vehicle's description. Even if there is no statewide law it is important to check local regulations regarding limitations on lane usage and follow the rules. You should also shift to the right side if you see a truck in the passing lane so that it does not hinder faster vehicles from approaching you. Ownership The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have an abundance of resources to make use of to force accident victims into accepting less than what they're entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who work on their behalf before they even know whether the victim of an accident will take legal action. Because they are able to carry enormous loads and are so much larger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is imperative to hire a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these massive, powerful corporations. Accidents involving large trucks require a deep understanding of concepts from the fields of physics, chemistry, biology as well as federal trucking regulations medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers are able to discover violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury how it led to your accident. 18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the careless or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they are held accountable for your present and future expenses. This includes trucking firms and owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. 18 wheeler accident lawyer hartford will also analyze weather conditions that might have contributed to your accident. Insurance Trucking companies have a wealth of resources available and can quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers to build a defense against the victims of accidents. They start this process before they know if you intend to seek legal recourse. That's why it's vital to immediately hire an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and bring them down to size. A lawyer with expertise in dealing with 18-wheeler accidents can relieve you of the burden and help you receive the compensation you're due. The money could be used to pay for medical costs, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work and other non-economic losses such as pain and suffering. 18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to keep accurate records and to perform maintenance can lead to catastrophe-causing accidents. Tractor-trailers are commonly used for transporting hazardous materials, that require specialized training and a license. These materials could be flammable or explosive, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other drivers on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also result in a catastrophic accident. A trained 18 wheeler accident lawyer will determine the exact causes of your accident and hold accountable any other parties who may be responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company, the owner or the trailer as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.