Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?

Numerous car accidents occur and can result in physical and medical expenses and time taken away from work. However, when an 18 wheeler gets involved it can be much more serious.

When this happens, victims can file a claim for financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help.

Weight Limits

In general, 18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheelers can only carry up to 80,000 pounds including the weight of cargo. This is a strict limit that requires trucking firms to pack their trucks as full as they can, which can result in overloaded. Truck drivers who exceed this limit may be penalized, and the fines will vary depending on the location they reside in.

You can generally tell if an 18 wheeler is going over the limit by observing their lights. A single flash from their blinkers indicates that it's safe to merge in front of them, but flashes of high intensity or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Be aware of truck drivers who are also using their lights as a way to communicate with each other.

It's important to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler accident lawyer wheeler, particularly when you pass. If you cut off the truck, it could result in an accident that is fatal. Car drivers are responsible for 72% of all crashes between cars and trucks.

Axles Axles

Semi-trucks are different from cars in that they require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The typical semi-truck has four axles, which includes the drive and steer axles, while a trailer typically has two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical passenger car and it's important to be aware of this when driving with one of these vehicles.

The limits on axle weights are based on a variety of factors that include the Federal Bridge Formula, 18 wheeler and the single axle and the axle group legal limit set by each state. The state limit could be higher than the Federal limit that is why it is vital for truckers to understand the federal and state limits on axle weight prior to travel.

Transporting normal freight shipments is enough of a challenge, but adding more heft increases the risk of accidents. A trucker who overloads his trailer is in violation of law and could be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result. If you've been injured in an accident involving an 18 wheeler an attorney for truck accidents can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the maximum load allowed, and also if the negligence caused your injury.

Speed Limits

Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, which every driver is aware. This is particularly applicable to big trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Truckers must, therefore, adhere to the speed limits on every road they travel on.

Truck drivers are often pressured to speed up delivery times and may not be able slow down enough to match the conditions. This can result in dangerous driving, and it can also be fatal to other motorists.

Fortunately, it is possible to reduce the chance of accidents by using speed limiters. This device automatically limits the speed of a car to a safe speed. It can be installed on a variety of types.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is studying the possibility of a new rule that will require truckers use these devices. The agency has released an additional notification of the proposed rulemaking in order to solicit feedback on the rule. Previous proposals have talked about restricting truck speeds to 60 or 65, or even up to 68 speeds.

Insurance

The majority of private owners buy one insurance policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the trucks they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Trucking companies require greater limits of liability insurance because commercial vehicles are more hazardous. They can also purchase cargo insurance and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the freight that semi-trucks are hauling. Bobtail insurance covers the truck once it has delivered its cargo. In the event of an accident such policies can assist to compensate grieving family members for their losses.

Maintenance

It's difficult to come up with an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because the trucks are expensive to maintain and repair, especially when they need major repairs. Some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle.

Trucks are usually equipped with ten brakes, not eighteen and anti-lock brakes are now available in all newer vehicles. Trucks take approximately 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due to the huge dimension and 18 wheeler speed of an 18-wheeler.

The term "eighteen-wheeler" is now synonymous with trucking. It's been used in country music, including the songs "Giddyup go" and "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine, and "Roll on" by the thrash metal group BigRig. However, it is important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't home on the road and they must obey the same rules as all other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truck drivers to text while driving because the split second of inattention could result in fatal consequences.