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What Is 18 Wheeler Law? Accidents involving commercial truck drivers, their rigs and 18 wheelers are covered under the law of 18 wheels. These huge vehicles are subject to federal regulations regarding maintenance, safety, and training. Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. 18 wheeler accident lawyer mount pleasant can lead to catastrophic trucking accidents. Weight Regulations It is important to understand the weight restrictions for semi trucks. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are set by the majority of states. It is common to see weigh stations along interstates, where truck drivers are weighed to make sure they aren't exceeding the maximum weight limit for their vehicle and load. If a truck driver is discovered to be violating these limits, they could be fined, or even imprisoned based on the state they reside in and their criminal record. Axle groups are able to have a higher limit because distributing the weight across more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows for more cargo to be transported. A single tire on a wheel can only weigh up to 650 pounds per inch, however, when two tires are on the same axle, it can be weighed to 1300 pounds. There are restrictions on the types of trailers which can be used with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer, while other states permit triple or twin trailers. A majority of states also require a fifth-wheel on the trailer that is a plate that is placed over the drive wheels and connects (hooks up) the trailer with the tractor unit. There are both day cabtractors as well as sleeper cabs that have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit and are designed for over-the-road hauling. Lane Restrictions Truck drivers must adhere to speed limits and traffic signals in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks aren't allowed to operate at the same speed as passenger cars. If they do, accidents can occur. In most cases, it is the truck driver at fault. Truck drivers might be driving longer than they are entitled to, violating hours-of-service rules, or being distracted or sleepy behind the wheel. Another important restriction on lane use is that truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left or right. Trucks brake much slower than cars that are primarily passenger vehicles. This could result in a risky situation, particularly for cars with smaller wheels that could be stranded behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop. Some states limit the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict the use of lanes for large trucks. These laws can be based on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other instances they may be solely based on the vehicle's description. Even if there is no law that is statewide, you should check local regulations regarding limitations on lane usage and follow them. You should also shift to the right side if you spot a truck in the pass lane so that it does not hinder faster cars from passing you. Ownership Companies operating 18 wheelers and trucking have massive resources to force victims of accidents into accepting far less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who advocate on their behalf before they even know if the victim of an accident will pursue legal action. In the event of an accident 18-wheelers can be blamed for severe injuries and property damage because they are able to carry heavy loads and are incredibly large when compared to passenger cars. This is especially true when these trucks collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to have an an experienced attorney defend your rights and get you justice against these massive, powerful corporations. Accidents involving large vehicles require an understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, federal regulations for trucking, medicine, driving standards and related fields. Our lawyers can identify any violations of these laws and explain to the jury what led to your accident. There are many parties that can be responsible for 18-wheeler truck accidents. 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 the drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that could have contributed to your accident. Insurance Trucking companies are able to deploy large teams of lawyers, adjusters engineers, experts and adjusters quickly. They start this process even before they know whether you'll seek legal recourse. This is why it is vital to immediately hire an experienced attorney who can match their resources and bring them down to size. An experienced 18 wheeler crash lawyer will alleviate the burden of dealing with these big corporations off your hands and focus on getting you the compensation you are entitled to. The money could be used to pay for expenses such as high medical bills car damage, lost wages from missing work, and other injuries like pain and suffering. 18 wheelers are complex vehicles and require a high-level, systematic maintenance to ensure their safety on the road. Failure to keep accurate logs and perform the necessary maintenance can lead to catastrophic accidents. Tractor-trailers are often carrying hazardous materials that requires specialized training and special licensing for transport. These materials can be explosive or flammable or radiological, as well as poisonous. They all pose a danger to other drivers on American highways. Failure to properly label and secure the load could result in a catastrophic accident. A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can pinpoint the exact cause and blame the individuals responsible. These may include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is also known as vicarious liability.