A Proficient Rant Concerning 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers
What Is 18 Wheeler Law?
18 wheeler accident law firm modesto that involve commercial truck drivers, their rigs, and 18 wheelers are covered by the law of 18 wheels. These massive vehicles are subject to strict federal guidelines regarding maintenance, safety, and training.
Companies that transport trucks often force their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can lead accidents involving trucks to be devastating.
Weight Regulations
It is crucial to know the weight restrictions for semi-trucks. Many states have single axle and group axle weight limits that must be adhered to. Weigh stations are prevalent along interstates, where truckers are weighed to ensure they don't exceed the maximum weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a trucker is found violating these limits and is found guilty, they may be fined and even sent to jail according to their criminal record and the state.
Axle groups are able to have a higher limit because distributing the weight over more axles makes the vehicle safer and allows more cargo to be carried. For example, a single tire on an axle may be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter, but when there are 2 tires on that same axle it could be weighted at 1300 pounds for each tire.
There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states allow only one trailer while others only allow twin or triple trailers. Many states also require a fifth wheel on the trailer that is a piece of metal that sits above the drive wheels, and connects (hooks up) the trailer to the tractor unit. Day cab and night cab tractors and sleeper cabs are readily available. They all have an area for sleeping inside the tractor unit.
Lane Restrictions
Truck drivers must observe traffic signals and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks are not allowed to drive at the same speeds as cars used by passengers. If they do, accidents may occur. In most instances, it's the driver of the truck who is at fault. Truck drivers may be driving for longer than they are permitted to, breaking hours-of-service regulations or simply being distracted or asleep behind the wheel.
Truck drivers are also barred from driving in the left right lane. Trucks are slower to brake than passenger cars. This can be a dangerous issue, especially for those in cars that are smaller and could be stuck behind trucks when it suddenly stops or slows down.
Some states specifically exclude large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane, whereas other states limit the usage of the lane in specific situations. These laws could be based on the weight of the vehicle or axel limits. In other situations they could be based solely on the vehicle's description.
Even if there is no law that is statewide, you should check local regulations regarding lane restrictions and follow the rules. You should also move over to the left if you spot trucks passing in the lane to ensure that it does not hinder faster cars from overtaking you.
Ownership
Companies that operate 18 wheelers and trucks have a wealth of resources at their disposal to pressure victims of accidents to accept a lesser amount than what they are entitled to. They have teams of insurance adjusters and lawyers who work on their behalf before they even know if the victim of an accident will pursue legal action.
Because they are able to carry enormous loads and are larger than passenger vehicles, 18 wheelers frequently cause catastrophic injuries and enormous property damage in accidents. This is especially so when they collide with motor vehicles. It is essential to find a lawyer who has experience fighting for your rights against these large, powerful corporations.

Accidents involving large vehicles require a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the fields of physics and chemistry, biology and trucking regulations from the federal government as well as medical standards, driving and related areas. Our lawyers are able to identify any violations of these laws and show the jury what caused your accident.
Many parties could be at fault for truck accidents involving 18-wheelers. Our NY 18-wheeler accident lawyer will investigate the parties accountable and ensure that they are liable for your current and anticipated expenses. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. Our team will also study the weather conditions that could have played a part in the accident.
Insurance
Trucking companies have an abundance of resources available to them and are able to quickly deploy teams of lawyers, insurance adjusters engineers, experts, and lawyers to create a defense against accident victims. They begin this process before they are aware of whether you'll need legal recourse. It is essential to retain an attorney who can match their resources and bringing them down in size.
An experienced 18 wheeler crash lawyer can relieve the burden of dealing with these corporations off your shoulders and focus on getting you the compensation you are entitled to. The money could be used to pay for medical expenses, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work and other non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
18 wheelers are extremely complex vehicles that require high-end, consistent maintenance to ensure they are safe on the road. Failure to perform this maintenance and maintain detailed logs can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Tractor-trailers often carry hazardous material, which requires special training and special licensing for transport. These materials can be explosive or flammable and radiological as well as poisonous. They all pose a major risk to other drivers on American highways. An accident that is catastrophic could occur if the load is not properly labeled and secured.
A qualified 18-wheeler accident lawyer can determine the precise cause of your accident and hold accountable any other parties that are accountable. These could include the truck driver and the trucking company, the owner of the trailer and the manufacturer of the truck or its components. This is known as vicarious liability.