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What Is 18 Wheeler Law? Accidents that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered under the 18 wheeler law. These huge vehicles must be subject to strict federal guidelines for maintenance, safety, and training. Trucking companies often require their drivers to work longer and alter logbooks. This can lead trucking accidents to be catastrophic. Weight Regulations It is important to understand the weight limitations of semi-trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are set by most states. There are numerous weigh stations along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't over the weight limit for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is caught in violation of these limits, they could be fined and even put in jail according to their criminal record and the state. Axle groups are given a higher limit because distributing the weight across more axles increases the safety of the vehicle and allows more cargo to be transported. For instance a single tire mounted 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 weighted at 1300 lbs per tire. There are restrictions on the kind of trailers that can be used with the tractor. Some states will only allow one trailer, whereas others only allow triple or twin trailers. In addition, some states require the fifth wheel to be installed on the trailer. This is a circular plate over the drive wheels that joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. Both day cab tractors and sleeper cabs are available. They all have a sleeping area inside the tractor unit. Lane Restrictions In addition to the lane restrictions truck drivers must comply with speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't able to travel at the same speed as passenger vehicles and should they do, they may cause accidents. In a lot of cases the driver of the truck is the primary culprit in these accidents. This is due to the fact that truck drivers can drive longer than the limit, break hours-of-service rules, or be distracted or sleepy behind the vehicle. Another important restriction on lane usage is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left side of the lane. Trucks brake much slower than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This could create a dangerous situation, especially for smaller cars that may be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop. Certain states specifically exempt large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane, whereas others restrict the use of the lane in specific situations. In certain cases the laws are based on weight and axel limits, while in others they could be based on vehicle description or directions. Even if there is no law that is statewide that you can follow, you should be aware of local rules on the lane restrictions and adhere to the rules. You should also shift to the right when you spot a truck blocking the passing lane. Ownership Companies operating 18 wheelers and trucking have massive resources at their disposal to force victims of accidents to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who advocate on their behalf before they even know if the victim of the accident will pursue legal action. In the event of an accident, 18-wheelers are often responsible for a number of serious injuries and property damage because they carry such large loads and are incredibly large when compared to passenger cars. 18 wheeler accident case riverside is particularly so when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is important to have a seasoned attorney defend your rights and recovery against these massive, powerful corporations. Large vehicle accidents require an in-depth understanding of the concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and federal regulations for trucking as well as medical standards, driving and other related fields. Our attorneys have the expertise to identify violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury the circumstances that led to your accident. 18-wheeler truck accidents can be caused by the negligence or reckless actions of multiple parties. Our NY attorney for accidents involving 18 wheels will investigate all responsible parties and ensure that they pay their fair part of your current and anticipated expenses. This includes trucking companies, owners, maintenance contractors, and even the drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that could have played a part in your accident. Insurance Trucking companies have a wealth of resources available to them and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and even engineers to build a defense against the victims of accidents. They begin this process before they know if you'll seek legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size. A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer will take the burden of dealing with these corporations off your shoulders and concentrate on securing the compensation you're entitled to. The money could be used to cover medical expenses, vehicle damages as well as lost income from missing work and other damages that are not economic such as pain and suffering. 18-wheelers are highly complex vehicles that require a high-level, structured maintenance to keep them on the road. Inability to keep detailed records and perform this maintenance can result in catastrophe-causing accidents. Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material, which requires special training and specialized licenses to transport. They can be explosive or flammable or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a risk to other drivers traveling on American highways. A catastrophic accident could also occur if the load was not properly labeled and secured. A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney will determine the exact cause and blame any parties who are responsible. This could include the driver of the truck, the trucking company, the owner or the trailer, as well as the manufacturer of the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious liability.