What Is
18 Wheeler accident lawsuits Wheeler Law?
Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered under the
18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheeler law. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety and training.
Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can lead accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
It is essential to understand the weight limits for semi trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be observed. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver is discovered to be violating these limits, they may be fined or even imprisoned, based on the state they reside in and their criminal record.
Axle groups have a greater weight limit because the vehicle is more secure when the weight is spread over more axles. This also allows for the carriage of more cargo. A single tire on a wheel is only weighed up to 700 pounds per inch, but when two tires are on the same axle, they can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds.
There are restrictions on the kinds of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, while others allow twin or triple trailers. In addition, some states require fifth wheels on the trailer, which is a circular plate over the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors and sleeper cabs that incorporate an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed for over-the-road hauling.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must adhere to traffic rules and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and even if they do, they could cause accidents. In many cases, it's the driver of the truck who is at fault. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are permitted to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations, or being distracted or asleep behind the driving.
Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left side of the road. Trucks brake more slowly than cars for passenger use. This could be a dangerous situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.
Some states restrict the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict it for large trucks. These laws could be based either on weight or axel limit. In other cases they may be solely based on vehicle description.
Even if there is no statewide law it is important to check local rules on lane restrictions and follow them. It is also recommended to move to the right side if you see trucks in the passing lane, so that it does not hinder faster cars from approaching you.
Ownership
Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have a wealth of resources at their disposal to force accident victims to accept less than they deserve. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers who work on their behalf, even before they know whether the victim of an accident will pursue legal recourse.
Because they are able to carry enormous loads and are much bigger than passenger automobiles, 18 wheelers typically cause a lot of injuries and huge property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly the case when they collide into other motor vehicles. It is essential to find a lawyer who has experience 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 fields. Our lawyers are able to discover violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury how they contributed to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligence or reckless actions of several 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 trucking firms as well as owners, maintenance contractors and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that might have contributed to your accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies can deploy large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts,
18 Wheeler Accident Lawsuits and adjusters quickly. They begin this process before they know if you will seek legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who can match their resources and helping them decrease in size.
An attorney who has experience handling 18-wheeler collisions will relieve you of the burden and help you obtain the compensation you're due. This money can cover costs such as high 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 extremely complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to keep accurate records and to perform maintenance can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous substances, that require special training and licenses. These materials may be flammable or explosive and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a danger to other drivers on American highways. A serious accident can also occur if the cargo is not properly labelled and secured.
A qualified
18 wheeler accident lawyer can determine the precise causes of your accident and liable for any party who could be accountable. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company or the owner of the trailer as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.