Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?

A lot of car accidents happen and cause medical bills, physical damage and time lost from work. If an 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler is involved, the consequences could be more severe.

In this case, victims can file a claim to receive financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help.

Weight Limits

18-wheelers can carry up to 80,000 pounds including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a very strict restriction that requires trucking companies to fill their vehicles full, which can lead to overloaded. Drivers who exceed the limit could be penalized, and the fines vary depending on the location they reside in.

If you examine the lights of an 18-wheeler you'll be able to tell if they're exceeding the speed limit. A single flash of 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. Keep an eye out for truck drivers who also use their lights as a way to communicate with each other.

It is important to leave a wide gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler, particularly when you pass. Trucks require plenty of space to slow down and stop when they stop, and if you cut them off and they are unable to stop, it could result in fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are often thought of as bullies on road 72% of crashes between cars and trucks are caused by car drivers.

The number of Axles

Semi-trucks, unlike cars, require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The most common truck has four axles, including the drive and steer axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a typical car and it's important to be aware of this when driving in the vicinity of one of these vehicles.

Limits on axle weights are based on a variety of factors, such as the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits set by each state for single axles and axle groups. The limits of the state may be higher than federal limits, therefore it is essential for truckers to know prior to traveling.

The task of transporting cargo isn't difficult enough however, adding more weight can increase the risk of an accident. If truckers overload their trailer they are in breach of the law and can be held responsible for results of injuries. A lawyer for truck accidents can determine whether the driver of an 18 wheeler accident-wheeler was negligent and the cause of the accident if you were injured.

Speed Limits

Every driver knows that speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents. This is especially the case for larger trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their size and weight. This is why it is essential for truckers to observe the speed limits of every highway they travel.

However truck drivers are usually forced to make deliveries in a hurry and might not be able to slow down enough to cope with the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and it could also be fatal to other motorists.

Speed limiters can decrease the chance of accidents. This is a device that can automatically limit the speed of a vehicle to a safe limit that can be used in a variety of trucks.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently evaluating the possibility of a new rule that will require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued an additional notification of the proposed rulemaking in order to gather feedback on the rule. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds be limited to 60 or 65 miles per hour.

Insurance

Most private vehicle owners purchase one insurance policy to protect their personal vehicles. Truckers however don't own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking firm. Because of the risky nature associated with commercial vehicles, trucking firms typically require greater liability insurance limits. Additionally, they may purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance is a way to protect the cargo that semi-trucks transport. Bobtail insurance covers the truck after it has delivered its load. In the event of an accident, these policies can help to compensate grieving victims or family members for the losses they suffered.

Maintenance

It's not always easy to get an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because the trucks are very expensive to repair and maintain, especially when they need major repairs. However, some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules that give an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle.

Trucks typically have 10 brakes, not 18 and anti-lock brakes have become common in new trucks. In general, trucks take around 40% longer than a regular car to stop. This is because the large size of an 18-wheeler and Firm its acceleration add to the stopping distance.

The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking and is even featured in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and the thrash metal group BigRig's hit song "Roll on". It is important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't driving on the streets and must follow the same rules as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, for example to use their phones while driving. A moment of negligence could result in disastrous consequences.