Don't Buy Into These "Trends" About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers

What Is 18 Wheeler Law?

18 wheeler law protects against accidents that involve commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety and training.

Unfortunately, trucking companies frequently force their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are set by most states. Weigh stations are prevalent on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even sent to jail according to their criminal record and the state.

Axle groups have a greater weight limit due to the fact that the vehicle is more secure when the weight is distributed across more axles. This also allows for the transportation of more cargo. For instance a single tire on an axle may be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are two tires on the same axle, it can be measured at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer while some states allow triple or twin trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer, which is a plate which sits over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractor and sleeper cabs that have a sleeping area inside the tractor unit. They are made for over the road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to lane restrictions Truck drivers must also be aware of speed limits as well as traffic lights. Trucks aren't allowed to drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents could occur. In most cases the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are allowed to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations or simply being asleep or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also prohibited from driving in the left lane. Trucks are slower to brake than passenger cars.  18 wheeler accident lawyer rockford  could be a risky situation, particularly for cars with smaller wheels that could be stuck behind trucks if they suddenly slow down or stop.

Some states limit the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while some states limit the use of lanes for large trucks. In some instances, these laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, while in others they may be based on the description of the vehicle or direction signs.

Even if there is no law that is statewide it is important to check local rules about lane restrictions and follow them. You should also move over to the right when you see trucks passing in the lane in order to not hinder faster vehicles from passing you.

Ownership

The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have a wealth of resources to force victims of accidents to accept a lesser amount than they should. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who advocate on their behalf before they even know whether the accident victim will take legal action.

In accidents, 18-wheelers are often responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such hefty loads and are so large compared to passenger vehicles. This is particularly true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is vital to hire an attorney who is experienced in fighting for your rights against these powerful, huge corporations.

Large-scale accidents require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry, federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving and other related areas. Our lawyers have the experience to uncover violations of these laws, and then show the jury how they contributed to your accident.

Multiple parties could be accountable for 18-wheeler truck crashes. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they are held accountable for your current and anticipated costs. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies, maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have contributed to the accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have an abundance of options available and can quickly send teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts to create a defense against accident victims. They begin the process before they know if you intend to seek legal recourse. This is why it's essential to get a capable attorney who can match their resources and bring them down to size.

An experienced 18-wheeler crash lawyer will take the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your hands and concentrate on getting you the compensation you deserve. The money could be used to cover medical costs, vehicle damage loss of income due to missed work and other non-economic losses like suffering and pain.

18-wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to keep detailed documents and carry out this maintenance can result in devastating accidents.

Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized certification to transport. The material may be explosive, flammable, or poisonous, all of which pose significant risks to other drivers on American roads. A fatal accident could occur if the load was not properly labeled and secured.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can pinpoint the exact causes and blame any other individuals who could be responsible. These may include the driver of the truck and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.