The Most Sour Advice We've Ever Heard About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers
What Is 18 Wheeler Law? 18 wheeler law protects against accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training. Unfortunately, trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents that happen in trucks to be catastrophic. Weight Regulations Understanding the weight limits of semi trucks is essential. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are set by most states. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver is caught violating these limitations they could be fined, or even imprisoned, based on the state of their residence and criminal record. Axle groups have a greater limit of weight since the vehicle is more secure when the weight is distributed across multiple axles. This also allows for the transport of larger cargo. For instance a single tire on an axle may be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter. However, when there are two tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire. There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with a tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, while others only permit twin or triple trailers. In addition, some states require five wheels on the trailer, which is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels, which connects (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs that have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed to haul over the road. Lane Restrictions In addition to limitations on lane width, truck drivers must also comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks cannot drive at the same speed as cars, and if they do, they may cause accidents. In many cases the truck driver is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers might be driving for longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations and/or being distracted or asleep behind the driving. Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left right lane. This is because it takes a lot longer for trucks to stop than passenger vehicles. This can be a serious issue, especially for those in smaller cars who may be stranded behind the truck when it slows or stops abruptly. Some states limit the use of lanes under certain circumstances, while some states limit it for big trucks. These laws may be based on weight or axel limit. In other situations they may be solely based on the vehicle's description. Even if there is no statewide law however, you must check local regulations regarding the lane restriction and adhere to the rules. Also, you should move to the right side if you spot trucks in the passing lane to ensure that it does not hinder faster vehicles from overtaking you. Ownership The 18-wheeler and trucking firms have an abundance of resources to employ to pressure accident victims into accepting less than what they're entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts that work on their behalf before they know whether an accident victim will pursue legal action. In accidents 18-wheelers can be blamed for a number of serious injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such heavy loads and are incredibly large compared to passenger vehicles. This is especially so when they are involved in collisions with other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an a seasoned attorney defend your rights and recover against these powerful, massive corporations. Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and trucking regulations from the federal government as well as medical standards, driving and many other related fields. Our lawyers are able to find any violations of these laws, and then show the jury the factors that led to your accident. 18-wheeler truck crashes are typically caused by the careless or reckless actions of several parties. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all of the liable parties and make sure they are liable for their fair part of your current and anticipated costs. This includes trucking companies owners, maintenance contractors, owners and even drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate the weather conditions that could have played a part in your accident. Insurance The trucking industry has a wealth of resources at their disposal and can quickly send teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, engineers, and experts to help defend accident victims. They start this process even before they know if you'll be seeking legal recourse. 18 wheeler accident law firm nashua is essential to retain an attorney who can match their resources and helping them decrease in size. An attorney who has expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents can ease the burden and help you get the compensation you're due. This money can be used to pay medical expenses, vehicle damage loss of income due to missed work, and other non-economic damages such as suffering and pain. 18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles and require a high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and keep accurate records can result in catastrophic accidents. Tractor-trailers often are used to transport hazardous materials which require specialized training and a license. This material can be explosive, flammable, radiological or poisonous, and all of these can pose serious dangers to other drivers on American roads. A serious accident can also occur if the cargo is not properly labeled and secured. A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can determine the cause and blame the parties who are responsible. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking company and the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.