7 Things About 18-Wheeler Wreck Lawyer You'll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing
Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?
There are a lot of car accidents that result in medical bills and physical damage and absence from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved it could be more dangerous.
In the event of a crash, 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 limitation that requires trucking companies to fill their vehicles to the maximum extent possible and could result in overloaded. Truck drivers who exceed this limit can be penalized. The fines will vary depending on where they reside.
If you take a look at the lights of an 18-wheeler you'll be able to tell if they're over the speed limit. If their blinkers flash just once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and multiple flashes are not. Be aware of truck drivers who use their lights as a way to communicate.
It is important to leave a significant gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler especially when you are passing. Trucks need plenty of room 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 passenger cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars.
Number of Axles
Semi-trucks, unlike cars, require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The typical truck has four axles, which includes the steer and drive axles, while trailers usually have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical passenger car and it's essential to keep this in mind when driving with one of these vehicles.
Axle weight limits are based on various factors that include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limits set by each state. 18 wheeler accident case ofallon of the state may be higher than federal limits, which is why it is crucial for truckers to know prior to traveling.
Hauling standard freight shipments isn't difficult enough however, adding extra weight increases the risk of accidents. A trucker who overloaded his trailer is in violation of law and may be held responsible for any injuries that result. If you've suffered injuries in an accident with an 18-wheeler, a truck accident lawyer can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the maximum amount allowed, and whether this negligence was the cause of your injury.
Speed Limits
Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, as every driver is aware. This is particularly applicable to big trucks due to their weight, size and size. Truckers must therefore observe speed limits on all roads they travel on.
Truck drivers are often under pressure to make quick delivery and may not be able to slow enough to accommodate the conditions. This can cause drivers to drive recklessly, which could be fatal for other drivers.
It is, however, possible to reduce the chance of accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device which will automatically restrict 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 studying 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 get feedback about the proposal. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds be limited to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour.
Insurance
Most private vehicle owners buy one policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers, however, do not own the vehicles they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking firm. Because of the heightened perils associated with commercial vehicles, trucking firms typically require greater liability insurance limits. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo coverage safeguards the cargo that a semi is carrying while bobtail insurance protects the truck after it delivers its load. These policies may pay compensation to victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident.
Maintenance
It can be difficult to estimate the costs of maintenance for commercial vehicles. This is because the trucks are extremely expensive to repair and maintain particularly when they require major repairs. However, some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules that will give an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle.
Trucks have ten brakes instead eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are currently standard on new trucks. In general, trucks require around 40 percent longer than a standard car to stop. This is due to the massive dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its acceleration add to the stopping distance.
The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking. It is used in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and the thrash metal group BigRig's track "Roll on". It is crucial to keep in mind that these trucks aren't at driving on the streets and must follow the same rules as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, for example, to text while driving. One second of inattention can have disastrous consequences.