This Is The Advanced Guide To 18-Wheeler Wreck Lawyer
Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?
Many car accidents happen and can result in medical bills, physical damage and time away from work. If an 18-wheeler is involved, the consequences can be far more severe.
When this happens, victims are able to file a claim for financial compensation. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist.
Weight Limits
In general 18 wheelers can carry up to 80,000lbs including the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking companies to fill their vehicles as full as they can, which can result in overloading. If a trucker exceeds the limit, they could be subject to fines that vary depending on the place of operation.
You can usually tell if an 18 wheeler is over the limit by observing their lights. A single flash of their blinkers means that it's safe to merge in ahead of them, whereas flashes that are high or multiple mean that it's not. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep an on the lookout for them when merging.
Always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler. This is particularly important when you're driving by. Trucks require plenty of room to slow down and stop when they stop, and if you cut them off it could result in a deadly crash. Although truck drivers are frequently thought of as bullies on road 72% of crashes between cars and trucks result from car drivers.
The number of Axles
Semi-trucks, unlike cars require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A semi-truck typically has four wheels, which includes the steer and drive axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a standard passenger vehicle and it's important to keep this in mind when driving alongside one of these vehicles.
The limits on axle weights are based on a range 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 understand the federal and state axle weight limits prior to traveling.
The task of transporting freight is difficult enough but adding weight increases the risk of an accident. A trucker who overloads his trailer is in violation of the law and could be held accountable for any injuries that result. If you've suffered injuries in an accident involving an 18 wheeler, a lawyer for truck accidents can determine if the driver was carrying more than the limit of load allowed, and whether 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 particularly applicable to large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. This is why it is important for truckers to follow the speed limits on each highway they travel.
However truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver quick deliveries, and they may not be able to slow down enough for the conditions. This can cause drivers to take risks when driving, which could cause harm to other drivers.
Speed limiters can decrease the chance of accidents. This is a device that will automatically limit the speed of a vehicle to a safe speed that can be installed in many different types of trucks.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently evaluating an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers use these devices. The agency has released an additional announcement of proposed rulemaking to get feedback about the proposal. In previous proposals it was suggested that truck speeds should be restricted to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour.
18 wheeler accident law firm hartford purchase an insurance policy that will cover their personal vehicles. The truckers do not own the trucks they drive. Instead, they rent their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies need higher limits of liability insurance due to the fact that commercial vehicles are more hazardous. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the cargo a semi is hauling, while bobtail insurance covers the truck after it has delivered its load. In the event of a collision, these policies can help to compensate victims or grieving family members for their losses.
Maintenance
It is often difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because trucks are costly to repair and maintain, especially when they need major repairs. However, some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules that provide an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle.
Trucks have ten brakes rather than 18 and anti-lock breaks are currently standard on new trucks. In general, trucks take 40 percent longer than a standard car to stop. This is because the large size of an 18-wheeler and its speed increase 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 obey the same guidelines as other drivers. For example, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving, as the smallest moment of distraction could have deadly consequences.