Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?
Many car accidents happen and can result in physical injuries, medical bills and time away from work. If an 18-wheeler is involved the consequences can be more serious.
Victims are able to make a claim for an amount of money if they suffer. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can be of assistance.
Weight Limits
In general, butler 18 wheeler accident attorney wheelers can only carry 80,000 pounds in total, not including the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking companies to fill their vehicles with full capacity and can result in overloading. Truck drivers who exceed this limit may be fined, and the fines will vary depending on where they reside.
You can generally tell if an 18 wheeler is over the limit by looking at their lights. If their blinkers flash one time, it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and multiple flashes are not. Truck drivers also utilize their lights to communicate, so keep on the lookout for them when merging.
It is important to leave a wide gap between your vehicle and an mississippi 18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler particularly when you pass. If you cut off the truck, it could lead to an unfatal crash. Car drivers are the cause of 72 percent of all collisions between trucks and cars.
The number of Axles
Unlike cars, semi-trucks require multiple axles to rotate their wheels. The most common truck has four axles, which includes the steer and drive axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. It’s important to keep in mind that these vehicles are much larger than the typical car for a passenger.
Limits on axle weights are based on a variety of factors, such as the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits posted by each state for single axles and axle groups. The state limit may be higher than the Federal limit and this is why it is essential for truckers to be aware of the state and federal axle weight limits prior to traveling.
The task of transporting freight isn’t difficult enough but adding weight increases the likelihood of an accident. A trucker who overloads his truck is in violation of the law and could be held responsible for any injuries that result. If you’ve been injured as a result of an accident that involved an 18-wheeler, a lawyer for truck accidents can determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum amount allowed, and also if the negligence was the cause of your injury.
Speed Limits
Like any driver, speeding is among the most common causes of truck accidents. This is especially applicable to large trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their size and weight. This is why it is important for truckers to adhere to the speed limits for every route they travel.
However truck drivers are usually forced to make deliveries in a hurry, and they may not be able slow down enough to cope with the conditions. This can cause drivers to be reckless drivers, which could cause harm to other drivers.
Speed limiters can decrease the risk of accidents. This device automatically reduces the speed of a vehicle to a safe limit. It can be installed on various types of vehicles.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is looking into the possibility of a new rule that would require truckers use these devices. The agency has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the idea. The previous proposals have talked about limiting truck speeds to 60 to 65 or speeds of 68 speeds.
Insurance
The majority of private owners buy one insurance policy to cover all their vehicles. The truckers do not own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they rent their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies require greater limits for liability insurance as commercial vehicles are more dangerous. Additionally, they may purchase bobtail and cargo insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the freight that a semi-truck is carrying. Bobtail insurance covers the truck once it has delivered its cargo. These policies will help grieving families and victims members in the event of an accident.
Maintenance
It’s often difficult to get an accurate estimation of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. It is expensive to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are required. Some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules that estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle.
Trucks have ten brakes rather than 18 and anti-lock breaks are nowadays standard on all new trucks. In general, trucks take around 40 percent longer than a typical car to stop. This is due in part to the large dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its acceleration increase the stopping distance.
The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It’s even 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 remember 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 use their phones while driving. A split second of inattention can have disastrous consequences.