20 Trailblazers Setting The Standard In 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers
What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
Accidents with commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered by the 18 wheeler law. These huge vehicles must adhere to strict federal guidelines for maintenance security, safety, and training.
Unfortunately, trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer hours and alter log books. This can result in catastrophic trucking accidents.
Weight Regulations
It is essential to understand the weight limits for semi-trucks. Most states have both single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be adhered to. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even put in jail subject to their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups have a higher limit as distributing the weight across multiple axles is safer for the vehicle and allows for more cargo to be transported. For instance one 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 could be weighed at 1300 pounds per tire.
There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Certain states only permit one trailer, while other states allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, many states require a fifth wheel on the trailer. This is a round plate that is above the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors and sleeper cabs are available. They both have a sleeping space inside the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to the lane restrictions truck drivers also must follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles, and should they do, they could cause accidents. In most cases, it's the driver of the truck who is responsible. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are allowed to, violating hours-of-service rules and/or being distracted or sleepy behind the driving.
Another important limitation on lane is that truck drivers are not permitted to drive in the left side of the lane. This is because trucks take a lot longer trucks to brake than passenger vehicles. 18 wheeler accident lawyer stamford can be a dangerous problem, particularly for those in smaller cars who may be stuck behind trucks when it suddenly stops or slows down.
Some states limit the use of lanes in certain circumstances, and some restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. These laws could be based either on axel or weight limits. In other cases they may be solely based on vehicle description.
Even if there's no law that is statewide however, you must check local rules on limitations on lane usage and follow them. It is also recommended to move to the left when you see a truck blocking the passing lane.
Ownership
Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have a wealth of resources available to pressure accident victims to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who act on their behalf before they know whether the accident victim will pursue legal action.
In accidents, 18-wheelers are often responsible for severe injuries and property damage because they are able to carry heavy loads and are huge compared to passenger vehicles. This is particularly so when they collide into other motor vehicles. It is important to have a seasoned attorney fight for your rights and recoveries against these powerful, massive corporations.
Large vehicle accidents require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry, federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving and many other related fields. Our lawyers are able to find violations of these laws, and then show the jury how it led to your accident.
18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligent or reckless actions of a variety of parties. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they are liable for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies, maintenance contractors, and even drivers themselves. Our team will also study weather conditions that may have contributed to your accident.
Insurance
The trucking industry has a wealth of resources available and can swiftly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters, engineers, and experts to help defend the victims of accidents. They start this process even before they are aware of whether you'll need legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who is capable of matching their resources and helping them decrease in size.
An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can take the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your hands and focus on getting you the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to cover medical expenses, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work as well as other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to ensure they remain on the road. Failure to maintain detailed records and to perform maintenance can cause catastrophe-causing accidents.
Tractor-trailers can be used for transporting hazardous materials, which require special training and licenses. They can be explosive or flammable, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other motorists on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also result in a catastrophic accident.
A qualified 18 wheeler crash lawyer can pinpoint the exact cause of your crash and liable for any party who are responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking firm and the owner of the trailer, as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is called vicarious liability.