Are You Getting Tired Of 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers? 10 Inspirational Sources That Will Rekindle Your Love
What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler law deals with accidents involving commercial truck drivers and their rigs. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit indiana are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training.
Trucking companies often make their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can lead accidents with trucks that are catastrophic.
Weight Regulations
Knowing the weight limits for semi-trucks is crucial. Many states have single axle and group axle limits on weight that must be adhered to. Weigh stations are common along interstates, and truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught breaking these limits, they could be fined and even sentenced to jail depending on their criminal history and the state.
Axle groups have a higher weight limit because the vehicle is safer when the weight is distributed across multiple axles. This also allows for the transportation of more cargo. For example, a single tire on an axle can only weigh 650 pounds per inch of wheel's diameter. However, when there are 2 tires on the same axle, it can be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.
There are limitations on the kinds of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states permit only one trailer, while other states permit triple or twin trailers. Furthermore, many states require five wheels on the trailer. It is a circular plate over the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab tractor models and sleeper cabs can be found. They both have a sleeping space inside the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
In addition to limitations on lane width, truck drivers must also follow speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks are not able to drive at the same speed as passenger vehicles and, if they do, they can cause accidents. In many instances, the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. Truck drivers could be driving longer than they are entitled to, or breaking the hours-of service regulations and/or being asleep or distracted behind the driving.
Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left lane. Trucks brake more slowly than passenger cars. This could create a dangerous situation, especially for cars with smaller wheels that could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop.
Some states specifically exempt big trucks and block them from using the left lane. However, others only restrict the use of the lane only in certain circumstances. These laws can be based on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other cases they could be solely based on the vehicle's description.
Even if there's no state-wide law regarding lane restrictions you must still review the local rules and observe the rules. You should also shift to the left when you see trucks blocking the lane.
Ownership
The 18 wheeler and trucking companies have huge resources at their disposal to pressure accident victims into accepting far less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who represent them before they know whether the victim of the accident will take legal action.
Due to their massive load and are much bigger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause severe injuries and massive property damage when they are involved in accidents. This is particularly true when these trucks collide into other motor vehicles. It is crucial to have an an experienced attorney defend your rights and recoveries against these massive, powerful corporations.
Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of the most complex concepts in the fields of physics, biology, chemistry and trucking regulations from the federal government and medicine, driving standards and other related fields. Our lawyers are able to identify violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury how they contributed to your accident.
There are many parties that can be responsible for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties at fault and ensure that they pay their fair share for your present and future costs. This includes trucking companies, owners of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. Our team will also analyze weather conditions that could have contributed to the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies have an abundance of resources available to them and can quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers to build a defense against the victims of accidents. They start the process before they decide if you will to pursue legal recourse. That is why it is essential to get an experienced lawyer who can match their resources and cut them to size.
A lawyer with expertise in handling 18-wheeler accidents will ease your burden and help you obtain the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost income from missed work, and other non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
18-wheelers are a complex vehicle that require a high-level, structured maintenance to keep them on the road. Failure to maintain detailed records and to perform maintenance can result in disastrous accidents.
Tractor-trailers typically carry dangerous materials that requires specialized training and special licensing for transport. They can be explosive or flammable, radiological or poisonous. They all pose a serious risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. A catastrophic accident could also occur if the load was not properly labeled and secured.
A competent attorney for 18-wheelers can determine the causes and blame any other parties who are accountable. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking company as well as the owner of the trailer, as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is known as vicarious liability.