What s Holding Back The 18-Wheeler Wreck Lawyer Industry

Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?

A lot of car accidents happen and can result in physical injuries, medical bills and time lost from work. When an 18-wheeler vehicle is involved, the consequences could be more severe.

Victims can file a claim to receive financial compensation if this happens. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can help.

Weight Limits

In general 18 wheeler accident lawsuits; check, wheelers can carry up to 80,000lbs including the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking firms to pack their vehicles to the max which could result in overloading. If a truck driver is in excess of this limit, they may face fines, which vary according to the location.

You can generally tell if an 18 wheeler accidents-wheeler is going over the limit by observing their lights. A single flash of their blinkers means that it's safe to merge the front of them, whereas high beams or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Truck drivers also use their lights to communicate, so keep an an eye out for them when merging.

Always leave a large gap between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler. This is particularly important when you are passing. If you cut off the truck, it could lead to a fatal crash. While truck drivers are often considered to be bullies on the road, 72% of crashes between trucks and passenger cars are caused by car drivers.

Number of Axles

As opposed to cars, semi-trucks have multiple axles to turn the wheels. The typical truck has four axles, which includes the drive and steer axles, while a trailer typically has two tandem axles. It's important to keep in mind that these vehicles are much bigger than the average automobile.

The weight limits of axles are based on several factors including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limits set by each state. The state limit can often be higher than the Federal limit, which makes it essential for truckers to be aware of the federal and state limits on axle weight prior to travel.

The transportation of standard freight can be challenging enough and a heavier load increases the risk of accidents. If truckers overload their trailer they are in breach of the law and could be held responsible for resulting injuries. If you've suffered injuries in an accident caused by an 18 wheeler, a truck accident lawyer can determine if the driver was carrying more than the limit of load allowed, and also if the negligence was the cause of the injury.

Speed Limits

Every driver knows that speeding is among the leading causes of truck accidents. This is particularly the case for larger trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their weight and size. Therefore, truckers must adhere to the speed limits on every road they travel on.

Truck drivers are often pressured to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able slow down enough to suit the conditions. This can result in dangerous driving, and could also be deadly for other motorists.

It is possible to lower the chance of accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device that can automatically limit the speed of a vehicle to a safe amount and can be used in a variety of trucks.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is studying the possibility of a new rule that would require truckers use these devices. The agency has issued a second notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit feedback on the proposal. Previous proposals have focused on limit truck speeds to 60, 65, or even 68 speed.

Insurance

The majority of private owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their vehicles. Truckers however don't own the vehicles they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Trucking companies require higher limits for liability insurance as commercial vehicles are more hazardous. Additionally, they may purchase cargo and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo coverage protects the freight the semi is transporting and bobtail insurance safeguards the truck when it delivers its load. These policies will help grieving families and victims members in the event of an accident.

Maintenance

It can be difficult to estimate the costs of maintenance for commercial vehicles. They are costly to maintain and 18 Wheeler Accident lawsuits repair, especially when major repairs are needed. Some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle.

Trucks have ten brakes instead of eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are nowadays standard on all new trucks. Trucks take around 40% longer to stop than a car. This is due to the huge dimension and speed of an 18-wheeler.

The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking. It's used in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and thrash metal band BigRig's hit song "Roll on". However, it is important to keep in mind that these vehicles aren't at home on the road and they must follow the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truckers to text while driving as a single second of negligence could lead to fatal consequences.