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What Is 18 Wheeler Law? 18 wheeler accident law firm utah caused by 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 force their drivers to work longer and manipulate logbooks. This can cause catastrophic trucking accidents. Weight Regulations Understanding the weight limits for semi trucks is vital. Weight limits for single axles and group axles are determined by most states. Weigh stations are commonplace along interstates where truckers are weighed to ensure that they don't exceed the weight limits for their vehicle or load. If a truck driver is caught violating these limitations they could be fined, or even imprisoned based on the state they reside in and their criminal record. Axle groups have a higher weight limit because the vehicle is safer when the weight is spread over a wider range of axles. This also allows for the carriage of more cargo. For example, a single tire on an axle is able to be weighed at 650 pounds per inch of wheel diameter but when there are two tires on the same axle it could be weighted at 1300 lbs per tire. There are also restrictions on the type of trailers that can be used in conjunction with the tractor. Some states only allow one trailer, and others only allow triple or twin trailers. Additionally, a lot of states require a fifth wheel on the trailer, which is a round plate that is above the drive wheels which joins (hooks) the trailer to the tractor unit. There are both day cab tractor and sleeper cabs which include sleeping areas inside the tractor unit and are specifically designed for over-the-road hauling. Lane Restrictions Truck drivers must obey traffic rules and speed limits in addition to lane restrictions. Trucks can't drive at the same speed as vehicles for passengers and even if they do, they can cause accidents. In many cases the driver of the truck is the culprit in these accidents. This is because truck drivers may drive for longer than allowed or violate the hours-of-service regulations, or get sleepy or distracted behind the vehicle. Another important limitation on lane is that truck drivers aren't permitted to drive in the left lane. This is due to the fact that it takes a lot longer for trucks to brake than cars. This can be a very dangerous situation, especially for smaller vehicles that could be stuck behind trucks when they suddenly slow down or stop. Some states limit the use of lanes in certain situations, while other states restrict it to large trucks. In some cases the laws are dependent on weight and axel limits, whereas in others they may be based on vehicle description or directions. Although there's no statewide law regarding lane restrictions you must still review the local rules and follow the rules. You should also shift to the left when you see a truck blocking the passing lane. Ownership Trucking and 18 wheeler companies have huge resources to pressure accident victims to accept less than what they are entitled to. They have teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters who act on their behalf before they know if the victim of the accident will take legal action. In the event of an accident, 18-wheelers are often responsible for a plethora of injuries and property damage because they carry such large loads and are incredibly large compared to passenger vehicles. This is especially relevant when they collide with other motor vehicles. It is vital to hire an attorney who has experience fighting for your rights against these powerful, large corporations. Accidents involving large trucks require an understanding of complicated concepts in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics and federal trucking regulations medical regulations, and driving rules. Our attorneys have the expertise to identify violations of these laws and demonstrate to the jury how it led to your accident. Many parties could be at fault for the 18-wheeler truck crash. Our NY attorney for 18 wheeler accidents will investigate all of the liable parties and make sure they pay their fair share of your current and anticipated costs. This includes owners of trucking businesses, trucking companies of maintenance contractors, even drivers themselves. Our team will also look into the weather conditions that could have played a part in your accident. Insurance The trucking industry has a wealth of resources at their disposal and can swiftly deploy teams of insurance adjusters, lawyers engineers, experts, and even engineers to help defend the victims of accidents. They start the process before they decide if you will to seek legal recourse. It is important to retain an attorney who can match their resources and reducing them in size. A seasoned 18-wheeler crash lawyer can help you deal with these large corporations off your hands and focus on obtaining the compensation you are entitled to. The money could be used to cover medical expenses, vehicle damage and lost income due to missed work, and other non-economic damages such as suffering and pain. 18 wheelers are complex vehicles and require a high-level, systematic maintenance to keep them safe on the road. Failure to keep accurate documents and carry out this maintenance could lead to catastrophe-causing accidents. Tractor-trailers frequently carry hazardous materials, which requires special training and specialized licensing to transport. These materials can be flammable or explosive or radiological or poisonous. They all pose a risk to other drivers on American highways. An accident that is catastrophic could happen if the load is not properly labeled and secured. A qualified 18-wheeler crash attorney can determine the exact cause and blame the parties that may be responsible. This could 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 referred to as vicarious responsibility.