Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?

There are a lot of car accidents that cause physical and medical bills, as well as the need to take time off from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved, the consequences can be far more severe.

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

Weight Limits

18-wheelers can only carry an maximum of 80,000 lbs including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a strict limitation that requires trucking companies to load their vehicles with full capacity and could lead to overloading. If a trucker exceeds this limit, they could be fined, which varies according to the location.

If you take a look at the lights of an 18 wheeler accident-wheeler you'll know if they're exceeding the speed limit. If their blinkers flash only once, it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams or multiple flashes aren't. Be alert for truck drivers who are also using their lights as a way to communicate with each other.

Always leave plenty of space between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is particularly important when passing. Trucks require plenty room to slow down and stop when they stop, and if you cut them off, it could lead to a deadly crash. Although truck drivers are commonly thought of as bullies on road, 72% of crashes between cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars.

Number of Axles

Semi-trucks, unlike cars require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. A typical semi-truck has four wheels, which includes the drive and steer axles. Trailers usually come with two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a typical passenger car and it's important to keep this in mind when driving in the vicinity of one of these vehicles.

Limits on axle weights are based upon a variety of factors, such as the Federal Bridge Formula and henderson 18 Wheeler accident law firm the legal limits posted by each state for single axles as well as axle groups. State limits may be higher than federal limits, which is why it is important for truckers and drivers to be aware of prior to traveling.

The task of transporting freight isn't difficult enough but adding weight increases the chance of an accident. 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 caused by an 18 wheeler an attorney for truck accidents can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the maximum amount allowed, and if this negligence was the reason for your injury.

Speed Limits

Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, as every driver knows. This is especially applicable to big trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Truckers must therefore observe speed limits on all roads they travel on.

However truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver quick deliveries, and they might not be able to slow down enough for the conditions. This can cause drivers to be reckless drivers, which could cause harm to other drivers.

Fortunately, it is possible to minimize the chance of these accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device that can automatically restrict the speed of a vehicle to a safe speed and is installed in various types of trucks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is currently evaluating an updated rule that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued an additional notification of the proposed rulemaking to gather feedback on the proposal. Previous proposals have discussed limit truck speeds to 60, 65, or even 68 mph.

Insurance

The majority of private vehicle owners purchase a single policy to cover all their vehicles. The truckers do not own the vehicles they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Due to the increased risk associated with commercial vehicles trucking firms typically require greater liability insurance limits. They can also purchase cargo insurance and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo coverage protects the freight the semi is transporting, while bobtail insurance covers the truck when it delivers its load. In the event of a wreck these policies can be used to compensate grieving family members for the losses they suffered.

Maintenance

It can be difficult to estimate the maintenance costs of commercial vehicles. It is expensive to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are required. However some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that give an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle.

Trucks are usually equipped with 10 brakes, not 18, and anti-lock brakes are now available in all new trucks. The trucks take about 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due to the massive size and momentum of an henderson 18 wheeler accident law Firm (vimeo.com)-wheeler.

The term "eighteen-wheeler" is now synonymous with trucking. It's even 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 remember that these vehicles are not home on the road and they are subject to the same rules as all other drivers. For example, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving, as a single second of negligence could lead to fatal consequences.