Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?
Numerous car accidents occur and cause medical bills, physical damage and time lost from work. But, if an 18 wheeler gets involved it can be a lot more dangerous.
Victims may make a claim and receive financial compensation if this happens. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can help.
Weight Limits
18-wheelers can carry an maximum of 80,000 lbs including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking companies to fill their vehicles with full capacity and can result in overloaded. If a truck driver is in excess of this limit, they may be penalized, and the penalties vary by location.
You can tell when an 18 wheeler is over the limit by checking their lights. A single flash of their blinkers indicates that it's safe to merge front of them, but flashes with multiple lights indicate that it's not. Be aware of truck drivers who use their lights to communicate.
Always leave plenty of space between your vehicle, and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you're passing. Trucks require plenty room to slow down and stop and if you cut them off this could result in an unfathomable crash. While truck drivers are often viewed as bullies on the road 72% of crashes between passenger cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars.
Number of Axles
As opposed to cars, semi-trucks have multiple axles to rotate their wheels. A semi-truck typically has four wheels, including the steer and drive axles. 18 wheeler accident law firm norfolk have two tandem axles. It's important to remember that these vehicles are much longer than a typical passenger car.
The limits on axle weights are based on various factors which include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit set by each state. State limits may be higher than federal limits, so it is important for truckers to know prior to travel.
The transportation of standard freight can be difficult enough and a heavier load increases the risk of accidents. A trucker who overloaded his trailer is in violation of law and could be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result. A lawyer for truck accidents can determine whether the driver of an 18-wheeler was negligent and the reason for the accident if you were injured.
Speed Limits
Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, as any driver knows. This is especially true for large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Truckers must therefore observe the speed limits on every road they travel.
However truck drivers are usually pressured to make quick deliveries, and they may not be able slow down enough to accommodate the conditions. This can cause drivers take risks when driving, which could be fatal for other drivers.
Speed limiters can reduce the risk of accidents. This is a device that will automatically restrict the speed of a truck to a safe speed, and it can be used in a variety of trucks.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is examining an updated rule that would require truckers to make use of these devices. The agency has issued a revised notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the proposed rule. Previous proposals have talked about limit truck speeds to 60 or 65, or even up to 68 speeds.
Insurance
The majority of private car owners purchase one policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the trucks they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Trucking companies need higher limits of liability insurance due to the fact that commercial vehicles are more dangerous. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurances for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the freight that semi-trucks are hauling. Bobtail insurance protects the truck after it has delivered its load. In the event of an accident the policies could help to compensate victims or grieving family members for their losses.
Maintenance
It can be difficult to estimate the cost of maintenance for commercial vehicles. It is expensive to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are needed. However some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that will give an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle.
Trucks typically have only ten brakes, not 18, and anti-lock brakes have become standard in newer vehicles. In general, trucks require around 40 percent longer than a typical car to stop. This is due to the large dimensions and the speed of an 18-wheeler.
The term "eighteen-wheeler" is now synonymous with trucking. It's even been used in country music, like the songs "Giddyup go" and "Teddy Bear", by Red Sovine, and "Roll on" by thrash metal group BigRig. However, it's important to remember that these vehicles are not at home on the road and that they are subject to the same rules as other drivers. It is illegal to permit truckers, for instance to text while driving. One second of inattention could have devastating consequences.