14 Cartoons About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers That'll Brighten Your Day
What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law covers accidents which involve commercial truck drivers as well as their rigs. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance security, safety, and training.
Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work for longer and manipulate logbooks. This can result in catastrophic trucking accidents.
Weight Regulations
Knowing the weight limits for semi trucks is essential. Most states have both single axle and group axle weight limits which must be adhered to. It is typical to see weigh stations on interstates where drivers are weighed to verify that they do not exceed maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found in violation of these limits they could face fines and even sent to jail depending on their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups are able to have a higher limit because distributing the weight across multiple axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel is only weighed up to 665 pounds per inch however, when two tires are on the same axle, they could be weighed up to 1300 pounds.
There are limitations on the kinds of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states permit only one trailer while others only allow twin or triple trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require fifth wheels on the trailer which is a circular plate over the drive wheels that couples (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are 18 wheeler accident lawyer greeley as sleeper cabs which include a sleeping area inside the tractor unit and are designed to haul over the road.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must abide by traffic signals and speed limits in addition to the lane limitations. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as cars and when they do, they could cause accidents. In a lot of instances, it's the truck driver who is responsible. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or simply being distracted or sleepy behind the driving.
Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left the lane. Trucks brake more slowly than passenger cars. This can be a dangerous issue, especially for those in smaller cars who may be stranded behind a truck if it slows or stops suddenly.
There are some states that specifically exclude large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, and others limit the usage of the lane in certain circumstances. In some cases, these laws are determined by weight and axel limits, while in others, they may be based on vehicle descriptions or direction signs.
Even if there's no statewide law on lane restrictions, you should still check the local rules and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the right side if you see trucks passing in the lane in order to not hinder cars taking over.
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 should. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who advocate on their behalf before they even know if the accident victim will pursue legal action.
Because they carry huge loads and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers can cause severe injuries and massive property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly the case when they collide into other motor vehicles. It is important to hire an experienced lawyers defend your rights and recover against these powerful, massive corporations.
Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complex concepts that are derived from physics, chemistry, biology, federal trucking regulations, medical standards, and driving. Our lawyers are able to identify violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident.
Multiple parties can be responsible for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all of the responsible parties and ensure they pay their fair portion of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking firms, owners and maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine weather conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies can deploy large teams of adjusters, lawyers, engineers and experts quickly. They begin this process before they know if you'll seek legal recourse. This is why it is so important to immediately retain an experienced attorney who will match their resources and cut them to size.
An attorney who has expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents can ease the burden and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. This money can cover costs like medical bills that are expensive car damage, loss of wages due to absence from work, and other injuries like suffering and pain.
18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require high-level, systematized maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep detailed records could result in catastrophic accidents.
Tractor-trailers are often used to transport hazardous materials that require special training and licenses. The material is explosive, flammable or poisonous, and all of these could pose a significant risk for other drivers on American roads. An accident that is catastrophic could happen if the load is not properly labelled and secured.
A skilled 18-wheeler crash lawyer can determine the exact cause of the accident and pinpoint any parties who are responsible. These could 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 called vicarious liability.