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What Is 18 Wheeler Law? 18 wheeler law protects against accidents with commercial truck drivers and their rigs. These massive vehicles must follow strict federal guidelines for maintenance safety, training, and maintenance. Unfortunately, trucking companies often force their drivers to work longer hours and manipulate log books. This can lead accidents with trucks that are catastrophic. Weight Regulations Understanding the weight limits of semi-trucks is crucial. Weight limits for single axles as well as group axles are determined by the majority of states. It is not uncommon to find weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed in order to verify that they are not exceeding the maximum weight limits for their vehicle and load. If a trucker is found violating these limits they could face fines and even put in jail depending on their criminal record and the state. Axle groups have a higher limit because distributing the weight over more axles is safer for the vehicle and allows more cargo to be carried. A single tire on a wheel can weigh up to 700 pounds per inch, but when two tires are mounted on the same axle, they can be weighed as high as 1300 pounds. There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used with a tractor. Some states permit only one trailer while some states allow triple or twin trailers. In 18 wheeler accident lawsuit thornton , some states require a fifth wheel 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 cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs that have sleeping areas inside the tractor unit. They are made for over the road hauling. Lane Restrictions In addition to lane restrictions, truck drivers must also adhere to speed limits and traffic lights. Trucks aren't allowed to drive at the same speeds as passenger cars. If they do, accidents are likely to occur. In most instances, it is the truck driver at fault. This is due to truck drivers being able to drive longer than they are allowed to, break hours-of-service rules, or be distracted or sleepy behind the wheel. Another important lane restriction is that truck drivers aren't allowed to drive in the left lane. Trucks brake at a much lower speed than cars for passenger use. This could be a risky situation, especially for cars that are smaller and could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop. Certain states restrict the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict it for large trucks. These laws can be based on axel or weight limits. In other instances, they could be based solely on vehicle's description. Even if there's no law that is statewide however, you must check local rules on the lane restriction and adhere to them. It is also recommended to move to the right if you see trucks passing in the lane to ensure that it does not hinder cars passing you. Ownership Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have a vast array of resources available to pressure victims of accidents into accepting less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers that work on their behalf even before they know whether the victim of an accident is going to seek legal relief. In the event of an accident, 18-wheelers are often responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage due to the fact that they carry such hefty load and are so massive in comparison to passenger vehicles. This is particularly so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to have an an experienced attorney fight for your rights and get you justice against these massive, powerful corporations. Large truck accidents require a deep understanding of concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics, federal trucking regulations, medical regulations, and driving rules. Our lawyers are able to discover violations of these laws and explain to the jury how they contributed to your accident. Multiple parties could be accountable for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they pay their fair share for your present and future expenses. This includes trucking companies, owners, maintenance contractors and even drivers themselves. Our team will also examine the weather conditions that could have played a part in the accident. Insurance The trucking industry has a wealth of resources at their disposal and can quickly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, engineers, and experts to develop a strategy for defense against the victims of accidents. They begin this process before they know whether you will seek legal recourse. It is essential to find an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size. An experienced 18 wheeler accident lawyer can help you deal with these corporations off your hands and concentrate on securing the compensation you deserve. This money can be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work as well as other non-economic damages such as suffering and pain. 18 wheelers are a complex vehicle that require high-end, consistent maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Inability to maintain this maintenance and keep accurate logs can lead to catastrophic accidents. Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized certification to transport. The material may be explosive, flammable, radiological or toxic, all of which pose significant risks for other drivers on American roads. A catastrophic accident could also occur if the load was not properly labelled and secured. A competent 18-wheeler accident attorney can determine the exact causes and blame any other individuals who could be responsible. This may include the driver of the truck, the trucking company, the owner or the trailer as well as the company that manufactures the truck and its components. This is referred to as vicarious responsibility.