11 Ways To Completely Sabotage Your 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 frequently press their drivers to complete longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead to catastrophic trucking accidents.

Weight Regulations

Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Many states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be adhered to. There are numerous weigh stations on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver gets found to be in violation of these restrictions, they could be fined or even jailed depending on the state of their residence and criminal record.

Axle groups have a greater weight limit because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread across multiple axles. This also permits the carriage of more cargo. A single tire on a wheel can only weigh up to 665 pounds per inch however, when two tires are mounted on the same axle, it could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.

There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while others allow twin or triple trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate that sits over the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate a sleeping area into the tractor unit and are specifically designed for over the road hauling.

Lane Restrictions

Truck drivers must adhere to speed limits and traffic signals in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks aren't permitted to travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents could occur. In most cases the truck driver is the culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are entitled to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations and/or being tired or distracted behind the steering wheel.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left lane. This is because it takes a lot longer for trucks to stop than cars. This could be a dangerous situation, especially for cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

Certain states restrict the use of lanes under certain situations, while other states restrict it to large trucks. In certain instances the laws are based on weight and axel limits, while in other they could be based on vehicle descriptions or directions.

Even if there's no law that is statewide however, you must check local rules regarding lane restrictions and follow the rules. You should also move to the left when you see trucks blocking the lane.

Ownership

The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have an abundance of resources to utilize to force accident victims into accepting less than they're entitled. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and even engineers that work on their behalf, even before they know whether the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.

Due to their massive load and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause severe injuries and massive property damage in accidents. This is especially the case when they collide with motor vehicles. It is vital to hire an attorney with experience fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.

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

There are many parties that can be responsible for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all of the accountable parties and ensure they are liable for their fair part of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking companies, owners of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that might have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies have a wealth of resources at their disposal and can quickly send teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers to help defend the victims of accidents. They start this process before they know whether you will to seek legal recourse. This is why it's crucial to hire an experienced attorney who will match their resources and bring them down to size.

A lawyer who has experience in handling 18 wheeler accident-wheeler crashes will relieve you of the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. The money will cover costs such as medical bills that are costly car damage, the loss of earnings due to a lack of work, and other damages such as pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and keep detailed records could result in tragic accidents.

Tractor-trailers can be used to transport hazardous substances, that require specialized training and certification. These materials can be explosive or flammable and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a catastrophic accident.

A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can determine the exact cause and blame any parties that may be accountable. 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.