An 18-Wheeler Wreck Lawyer Success Story You'll Never Be Able To
Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?
There are numerous accidents involving cars that cause physical and medical expenses, as well as time off from work. If an 18-wheeler is involved, the consequences are far more serious.
If this happens, the victims are able to file a claim for financial compensation. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can be of assistance.
Weight Limits
18-wheelers are limited to carrying up to 80,000 pounds including the weight and volume of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking companies to pack their vehicles with full capacity, which can lead to overloaded. If a truck driver exceeds the limit, they could be fined, which varies according to the location.
If you take a look at the lights of an 18-wheeler you'll usually be able to determine if they're over the speed limit. If their blinkers flash only once, it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and flashes with multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep alert for them when merging.
Always leave a large gap between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you're driving by. If you cut off the truck, it may cause a fatal crash. Car drivers are the primary cause of 72 percent of all crashes between cars and trucks.
Axles Axles
Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The most common truck has four axles, which includes the steer and drive axles, while trailers typically have two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a standard passenger vehicle and it's essential to keep this in mind when driving alongside one of these vehicles.
Axle weight limits are based on a variety of factors including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit set by each state. The state limit can often be higher than the Federal limit, which makes it essential for truckers and drivers to know the state and federal limit on axle weight before they travel.
Transporting normal freight shipments can be difficult enough, but adding more heft increases the chance of accidents. If a trucker overloads their trailer and is in violation of the law and can be held accountable for the resulting injuries. If you've been injured in an accident with an 18 wheeler, a lawyer for truck accidents will help determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum load allowed, and if that negligence was the reason for the injury.
Speed Limits
Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, as every driver knows. This is particularly relevant for large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Because of this, it is essential for truckers to adhere to the speed limits for every route they travel.
Truck drivers are often under pressure to make quick delivery and may not be able slow enough to accommodate the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and can also be fatal to other motorists.
It is, however, possible to reduce the chance of accidents by using speed limiters. This device is able to limit the speed of a vehicle to a level that is safe. It can be put in on many different types.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently evaluating a new rule which would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit feedback on the idea. Previous proposals have discussed limit truck speeds to 60 or 65, or even the speed limit of 68 speed.
Insurance
The majority of private vehicle owners purchase one insurance policy to cover their personal vehicles. Truckers on the other hand do not own the trucks that they drive. Instead, they rent their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies require greater limits of liability insurance since commercial vehicles are more risky. Additionally, they may purchase bobtail and cargo coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo the semi is transporting and bobtail insurance protects the truck when it delivers its load. These policies are able to provide compensation to grieving victims and family members in the event of an accident.
Maintenance
It can be difficult to estimate the cost of maintenance for commercial vehicles. Trucks are expensive to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. However some trucking firms offer maintenance schedules which provide an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle.
Trucks have ten brakes instead of 18 and anti-lock break breaks are currently standard on new trucks. Trucks take around 40% longer to stop than a car. 18 wheeler accident law firm elk grove is due to the huge dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its momentum add to the stopping distance.
The term "eighteen-wheeler" is now synonymous with trucking. It's even been used in country music, such as the songs "Giddyup go" and "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine, and "Roll on" by thrash metal group BigRig. It is important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't home on the roads and must follow the same rules as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, for example to use their phones while driving. A moment of negligence could result in fatal consequences.