What Is 18 wheeler accident lawyer Wheeler Law?

Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered under the law governing 18 wheelers. These massive vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.

Trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can lead accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic.

Weight Regulations

It is crucial to know the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by most states. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed in order to make sure they do not exceed the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found violating these limits and is fined, they could be penalized or even imprisoned 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 multiple axles. This also permits the transportation of more cargo. For example, a single tire on an axle can only be weighed at 650lbs per inch of wheel diameter but when there are two tires on the same axle, it could be measured at 1300 pounds per tire.

There are limitations on the kinds of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, while other states only allow triple or twin trailers. A lot of states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a plate which sits above the drive wheels and joins (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs, which incorporate sleeping areas inside the tractor unit. They are designed to haul over the road.

Lane Restrictions

In addition to limitations on lane width truck drivers must comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't permitted to drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles. If they do, accidents can occur. In many cases, the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are allowed to, ignoring the hours-of-service regulations or be distracted or asleep behind the driving.

Truck drivers are also forbidden from driving in the left right lane. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than cars for passenger use. This could create a dangerous situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.

There are some states that specifically single out large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, while others only restrict the use of the lane in specific situations. These laws can be based on weight or axel limits. In other instances, they could be based solely on vehicle description.

Even if there is no statewide law, you should check local rules regarding limitations on lane usage and follow them. You should also shift to the right when you notice a truck blocking the passing lane.

Ownership

Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have a vast array of resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents into accepting far less than they deserve. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and even engineers who work for their clients even before they know if an accident victim will pursue legal recourse.

Due to their massive load and are so much larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage in accidents. This is particularly the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations.

Large truck accidents require a deep understanding of concepts that are derived from physics, chemistry, biology as well as federal trucking regulations medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers have the experience to discover violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.

18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligent or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all of the liable parties and make sure they are liable for their fair portion of your current and expected expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners and maintenance contractors, and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze weather conditions that could have contributed to your accident.

Insurance

Trucking companies can provide large teams of lawyers, adjusters, engineers and experts quickly. They start this process before they even decide if you will to pursue legal recourse. It is crucial to hire an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size.

A lawyer with experience in handling 18-wheeler crashes will relieve you of the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damages as well as lost income from missing work and other damages that are not economic like pain and suffering.

18-wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep accurate records could result in disastrous accidents.

Tractor-trailers often are used for transporting hazardous materials, which require special training and licenses. The material is explosive, flammable or toxic, all of which could pose a significant risk to other drivers on American roads. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a fatal accident.

A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can determine the cause and blame the individuals accountable. These may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is referred to as vicarious liability.