Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?
Many car accidents happen and cause physical injury, medical bills and time lost from work. However, when an 18 wheeler is involved, it could be more serious.
In this case, victims may file a claim for financial compensation. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can be of assistance.
Weight Limits
In general, 18 wheelers can only carry 80,000 pounds, including the weight of cargo. This is a very strict limit that requires trucking companies to load their vehicles full, which can lead to overloading. If a truck driver is in excess of this limit, they could face fines, which vary according to the location.
It is easy to tell if an 18 wheeler is over the limit by watching their lights. If their blinkers flash just once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams or multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also use their lights to communicate, so keep an watch for them when merging.
It's important to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an
18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheeler especially when you are passing. Trucks require plenty of space to slow down and stop when they stop, and if you cut them off, it could lead to fatal crashes. Car drivers are the cause of 72 percent of all crashes between vehicles and trucks.
The number of Axles
Semi-trucks are different from cars in that they require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A typical truck has four wheels, which includes the steer and drive axles. Trailers typically come with two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a typical passenger vehicle and it's essential to be aware of this when driving with one of these vehicles.
The weight limits for axles are based upon a variety of factors, like the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits set by each state for single axles as well as axle groups. The limit for each state can be higher than the Federal limit and this is why it is essential for truckers to know the federal and state limit on axle weight before they travel.
The task of transporting freight isn't difficult enough, but adding extra weight increases the likelihood of an accident. When the trucker overloads their trailer, they are in violation of the law and can be held liable for the consequences of the injuries. If you've been injured in an accident caused by an
18 wheeler accident wheeler A lawyer for truck accidents will help determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum load allowed, and
18 wheeler Accident lawsuits if this negligence was the cause of your injuries.
Speed Limits
Every driver knows that speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents. This is particularly true for large trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Therefore, it is vital for truckers to follow the speed limits on every highway they travel.
Truck drivers are often under pressure to speed up delivery times and may not be able slow down enough to meet the conditions. This can lead drivers to drive dangerously, which can be fatal for other drivers.
Speed limiters reduce the risk of accidents. This is a device which will automatically restrict the speed of a truck to a safe speed, and it can be fitted in a variety of types of trucks.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is examining the possibility of a new rule that would require truckers use these devices. The agency has issued an additional announcement of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the proposal. Previous proposals have focused on restricting truck speeds to 60 or 65, or even 68 speed.
Insurance
Most private vehicle owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their vehicles. Truckers on the other hand do not own the trucks that they drive. Instead, they rent their
18 wheeler accident lawsuits-wheelers from a company that transports trucks. Because of the heightened perils of commercial vehicles, trucking companies generally require higher liability insurance limits. Additionally, they may purchase bobtail and cargo insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo that a semi is carrying while bobtail insurance protects the truck when it delivers its load. These policies are able to help grieving families and victims members in the event of an accident.
Maintenance
It's not always easy to get an accurate estimation of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is due to the fact that trucks are extremely expensive to repair and maintain particularly when they require major repairs. Some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle.
Trucks have ten brakes instead eighteen and anti-lock breaks are now standard on new trucks. In general, trucks take about 40 percent longer than a standard car to stop. This is due to the massive size and momentum of an 18-wheeler.
The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking and is even mentioned in country music tracks, such as the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and thrash metal band BigRig's track "Roll on". But it is crucial to keep in mind that these vehicles are not at home on the road, and that they are subject to the same rules as other drivers. For example, it is illegal for truckers to text while driving as the slightest mistake could have fatal consequences.