How To Resolve Issues With 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers
What Is 18 Wheeler Law? Accidents with commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered by the law of 18 wheels. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training. Trucking companies often make their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause catastrophic trucking crashes. Weight Regulations It is essential to be aware of the weight limits for semi-trucks. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit springfield of states have single axle and group axle weight limits which must be observed. Weigh stations are prevalent on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they do not over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught breaking these limits and is fined, they could be penalized or even imprisoned depending on their criminal history and the state. Axle groups are granted a higher limit as distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be transported. For example, a single tire on an axle may be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are 2 tires on that same axle it can be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire. There are limitations on the types of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while other states permit triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require five wheels on the trailer which is a round plate that is above the drive wheels which joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are readily available. They both include a sleeping space in the tractor unit. Lane Restrictions In addition to restrictions on lane usage, truck drivers must also adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to operate at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents could occur. In many instances the truck driver is the primary culprit in these accidents. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive longer than the limit, break hours-of-service rules, or become sleepy or distracted behind the steering wheel. Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers aren't permitted to drive in the left right lane. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than cars for passenger use. This could result in a risky situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop. Certain states specifically exclude large trucks and prevent them from using the left lane, and other states limit the usage of the lane in specific situations. These laws may be based either on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other cases they may be based solely on the vehicle description. Although there's no statewide law on lane restrictions, you should still check the local rules and abide by them. Also, you should move to the right if you see a truck in the pass lane to ensure that it does not hinder cars overtaking you. Ownership The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have an array of resources they can utilize to force accident victims to accept less than they're entitled. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who act on their behalf before they know if the accident victim will pursue legal action. In accidents 18-wheelers can be blamed for severe injuries and property damage because they carry such hefty loads and are incredibly large compared to passenger vehicles. This is particularly relevant when these trucks collide into other motor vehicles. It is essential to have an an experienced attorney fight for your rights and recover against these powerful, large corporations. Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry, federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving and other related fields. Our lawyers are able to find any violations of these laws and show the jury what led to your accident. Many parties could be at fault for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they pay their fair share for your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking companies as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that could have contributed to your accident. Insurance Trucking companies have vast resources at their disposal and are able to quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts to develop a strategy for defense against the victims of accidents. They start this process even before they are aware of whether you'll be seeking legal recourse. This is why it is so important to immediately retain an experienced attorney who will 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 securing the compensation you deserve. This can be used to cover expenses like steep medical bills and vehicle damage, as well as lost wages from missing work, as well as non-economic injuries like suffering and pain. 18-wheelers are complex vehicles that require high-level, systematized maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and maintain accurate records could result in tragic accidents. Tractor-trailers are commonly used to transport hazardous substances, which require special training and licenses. The material may be explosive, flammable, radiological or toxic, all of which could pose a significant risk for other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a fatal accident. A qualified 18 wheeler accident lawyer can determine the precise cause of your crash and hold liable any parties who are responsible. These could include the driver of the truck and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.