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What Is 18 Wheeler Law? Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered by the 18 wheeler law. These huge vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training. Unfortunately, trucking companies often pressure their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead to catastrophic trucking accidents. Weight Regulations It is crucial to know the weight limitations of semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are set by most states. There are numerous weigh stations on interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure that they do not exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught violating these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined or even imprisoned according to their criminal record and the state. Axle groups are granted a higher limit because distributing the weight across multiple axles makes the vehicle more secure and allows more cargo to be carried. For instance a single tire on an axle can only be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on the same axle it can be measured at 1300 pounds per tire. There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states permit only one trailer while others only allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, many states require five wheels on the trailer. It is a rounded plate on top of the drive wheels which joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are day cab tractors as well as sleeper cabs that incorporate sleeping areas inside the tractor unit. They are made for over the road hauling. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit sacramento In addition to limitations on lane width truck drivers also must adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as cars and, when they do, they could cause accidents. In many instances, the truck driver is the one at fault in these accidents. Truck drivers may be driving longer than they are allowed to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or be distracted or sleepy behind the steering wheel. Truck drivers are also banned from driving in the left lane. Trucks are slower to brake than passenger cars. This could be a dangerous situation, especially for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop. Some states specifically exempt large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, while others limit the use of the lane only in specific situations. These laws could be based either on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other instances they may be based solely on the vehicle's description. Even if there's no state-wide regulation on lane limits, you must still review the local rules and observe the rules. You should also shift to the right if you see trucks passing in the lane to ensure that it does not hinder faster vehicles from taking over. Ownership Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have huge resources to pressure accident victims to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who work on their behalf before they even know whether the victim of an accident will take legal action. In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage because they are able to carry heavy loads and are so large relative to passenger vehicles. This is especially the case when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is essential to find an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations. Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and biology, chemistry and federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and other related areas. Our lawyers are able uncover any violations of these laws, and then show the jury the factors that caused your accident. Many parties could be at fault for 18-wheeler truck crashes. Our NY 18 wheeler accident lawyer will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they are paid their fair share of your current and expected costs. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies, maintenance contractors, and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also investigate weather conditions that may have played a part in the accident. Insurance Trucking companies have a wealth of resources at their disposal and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and even engineers to develop a strategy for defense against the victims of accidents. They begin this process before they even decide if you will to pursue legal recourse. This is why it is essential to get an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and reduce them to size. A lawyer who has experience in handling 18-wheeler crashes can ease the burden and assist you in getting the compensation you're due. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damages, lost income from missed work as well as other non-economic damages such as suffering and pain. 18-wheelers are a complex vehicle which require sophisticated, systematic maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and maintain accurate records could lead to catastrophic accidents. Tractor-trailers are commonly used for transporting hazardous materials, that require specialized training and certification. These materials may be explosive or flammable or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a significant risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. In the absence of proper labeling and secure the load could also cause a devastating accident. A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can pinpoint the exact 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 called vicarious liability.