Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?

There are many car accidents that result in physical and medical expenses, as well as the need to take time off from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved, the consequences could be more severe.

If this happens, the victims are able to file a claim for financial compensation. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can help.

Weight Limits

In general, 18 wheelers can only carry 80,000 pounds, including the weight of cargo. This is a strict limitation that requires trucking companies to load their vehicles to the maximum extent possible and can lead to overloading. If a truck driver goes over the limit, they could be penalized, and the penalties vary depending on the location.

You can usually tell if an 18-wheeler is over the limit by looking at their lights. If their blinkers flash once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams or multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep an an eye out for them when merging.

It is essential to leave a significant gap between your vehicle and an 18 Wheeler Accident Lawsuits wheeler especially when passing. If you cut off the truck, it could cause fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are often viewed as bullies on the road 72% of accidents between cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars.

The number of Axles

Semi-trucks, unlike cars, require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A typical truck has four wheels, which includes the steer and drive axles. Trailers typically have two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a typical passenger car and it's crucial to be aware of this when driving along with one of these vehicles.

The weight limits for axles are based upon a variety of factors, such as 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 understand the federal and state limit on axle weight before they travel.

Moving standard freight shipments can be challenging enough and a heavier load 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 result. A lawyer for truck accidents can determine whether the driver of an 18-wheeler was negligent and the cause of the accident in case you were injured.

Speed Limits

Every driver knows that speeding is among the most common causes of truck accidents. This is particularly true for 18 Wheeler Accident Lawsuits large trucks due to their weight, size and weight. For this reason, it is vital for truckers to adhere to the speed limits on every highway they travel.

Truck drivers are often pressured to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able to slow down enough to match the conditions. This can lead to dangerous driving, and it can also be fatal to other motorists.

It is possible to decrease the risk of these accidents by using speed limiters. This is a gadget that will automatically limit the speed of a truck to a safe amount, and it can be used in a variety of trucks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is looking at an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued a revised notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the proposed rule. Previous proposals have talked about limit truck speeds to 60 or 65 mph, or even up to 68 miles per hour.

Insurance

Most private vehicle owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their vehicles. Truckers on the other hand do not own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they rent their 18 wheeler accident lawyers-wheelers from a company that transports trucks. Because of the risky nature associated with commercial vehicles, trucking companies generally require higher liability insurance limits. 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 load. In the event of a wreck the policies could help to compensate grieving family members for the losses they suffered.

Maintenance

It's often difficult to get an accurate estimate of the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. Trucks are expensive to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are needed. However certain trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that give an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle.

The majority of trucks have 10 brakes, not 18 and anti-lock brakes are the norm in newer vehicles. In general, trucks require around 40 percent longer than a standard car to stop. This is due in part to the large size of an 18-wheeler and its momentum add to the stopping distance.

The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking. It's even featured in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and the thrash metal group BigRig's song "Roll on". It is important to remember that these trucks aren't at home on the roads and must obey the same rules as other drivers. It is against the law for truckers, as an example, to text while driving. A moment of inattention could have negative consequences for a driver.