13 Things About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers You May Not Have Known
What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law deals with accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.
Unfortunately, trucking companies often pressure their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead to devastating trucking crashes.
Weight Regulations
It is essential to understand the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are set by most states. It is common to see weigh stations along interstates where truck drivers are weighed in order to make sure they do not exceed the maximum limits of their vehicle and load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits and is fined, they could be penalized and even sentenced to jail depending on their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups have a higher weight limit due to the fact that the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread over a wider range of axles. This also permits the transport of larger cargo. For instance a single tire on an axle can be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are 2 tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire.
There are limitations on the kinds of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer while others only allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, many states require fifth wheels on the trailer which is a round plate that is above the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs which include a sleeping area into the tractor unit. They are made for over the road hauling.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must observe speed limits and traffic signals in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks aren't allowed to operate at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents could occur. In a lot of cases, the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. This is due to truck drivers being able to drive longer than they are allowed to, break hours-of-service rules, or get sleepy or distracted behind the vehicle.
Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left right lane. This is because trucks take longer trucks to stop than cars. This can be a serious issue, especially for those in smaller cars who may be stuck behind a truck when it slows or stops abruptly.
Some states restrict the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while others restrict it for big trucks. These laws could be based either on axel or weight limits. In other situations they may be solely based on vehicle's description.
Although there's no statewide law on lane restrictions, you should still be aware of local rules and follow them. You should also move to the right when you spot trucks blocking the lane.
Ownership
Companies operating 18 wheelers and trucking have massive resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts who advocate on their behalf, even before they know whether an accident victim will seek legal remedy.
In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for severe injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such large loads and are so large in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is especially true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.
Large truck accidents require a deep understanding of concepts from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations, medicine, and driving standards. Our lawyers can discover any infringements of these laws, and then show the jury the factors that led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the careless or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they are held accountable for your present and future 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 your accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies are able to send large teams of adjusters, lawyers, engineers and experts quickly. They start this process before they even know whether you are going to seek legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and bringing them down in size.
An experienced 18 wheeler crash lawyer will alleviate the burden of dealing with these large corporations off your shoulders and focus on obtaining the compensation you're due. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit bethlehem can be used to cover expenses like medical bills that are expensive or vehicle damage, loss of wages due to absence from work, and other damages such as pain and suffering.
18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles and require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to maintain detailed documents and carry out this maintenance can result in catastrophe-causing accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials, which requires special training and special licensing for transport. This material can be explosive, flammable, radiological, or poisonous, and all of these pose significant risks to other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a catastrophic accident.
A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can pinpoint the exact cause and blame the individuals accountable. These could include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the company that manufactures the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious obligation.