Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?

There are many accidents involving cars that cause physical and medical expenses, as well as the need to take time off from work. When an winchester 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler vehicle is involved, the consequences are far more serious.

In the event of a crash, victims are able to file a claim for financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help.

Weight Limits

In general hailey 18 wheeler accident Attorney wheelers are able to transport up to 80,000 lbs in total, not including the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that requires trucking companies to pack their vehicles to capacity which could result in overloaded. If a truck driver is in excess of this limit, they could be subject to fines that vary depending on the location.

If you take a look at the lights of an 18-wheeler, you'll be able to tell if they're going over the speed limit. If their blinkers flash once, it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and flashes with multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also use their lights to communicate, so keep an on the lookout for them when merging.

Always leave a wide gap between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you're driving by. Trucks require plenty of room to slow down and stop and if you cut them off, it could lead to a deadly crash. Car drivers are the cause of 72% of all crashes between trucks and cars.

Number of Axles

Semi-trucks, like cars, require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The typical semi-truck has four axles, including the steer and drive axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. It's important to note that these vehicles are much bigger than the average passenger car.

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 state limit can often be higher than the Federal limit, which makes it essential for truckers to be aware of the state and federal limit on axle weight before they travel.

Moving standard freight shipments is enough of a challenge, but adding more heft increases the risk of accidents. If the trucker overloads their trailer they are in breach of the law and may be held responsible for consequences of the injuries. If you've suffered injury in an accident involving an 18 wheeler, a lawyer for truck accidents can determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and if this negligence was the reason for your injury.

Speed Limits

Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, which every driver is aware. This is especially the case for larger trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their weight and size. Truckers must therefore observe speed limits on all roads they travel.

However, truck drivers are often pressured to make quick deliveries and may not be able to slow down enough for the conditions. This can cause drivers drive dangerously, which can be deadly for other drivers.

Speed limiters can reduce the risk of accidents. This device automatically limits the speed of a vehicle to a level that is safe. It is able to be installed on many different types.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering an updated rule that will require truckers to make use of these devices. The agency has issued a second notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the proposed rule. In previous proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds be limited to 60 or 65 miles per hour.

Insurance

The majority of private car owners purchase one insurance policy that covers all their vehicles. Truckers however don't own the vehicles they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Because of the higher risk that come with commercial vehicles, trucking companies typically require higher liability insurance limits. In addition, they can purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo coverage protects the freight a semi is hauling while bobtail insurance protects the truck when it delivers its load. In the event of an accident such policies can assist to compensate grieving family members for the losses they suffered.

Maintenance

It's often difficult to get an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is due to the fact that trucks are expensive to repair and maintain, especially when they need major repairs. However some trucking firms offer maintenance schedules which provide an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle.

Trucks are usually equipped with only ten brakes, not 18 and anti-lock brakes are now common in newer vehicles. In general, trucks take around 40 percent longer than a normal car to stop. This is due to the huge dimensions and the speed of an 18-wheeler.

The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking and is even mentioned in country music tracks like the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and the thrash metal group BigRig's hit song "Roll on". It is nevertheless important to remember that these vehicles aren't home on the road, and they are subject to the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truckers to text while driving since the smallest moment of distraction could have fatal consequences.