Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?
There are a lot of accidents involving cars that cause medical bills and physical damage in addition to time off from work. If an 18-wheeler vehicle is involved, the consequences can be far more serious.
Victims can file a claim to receive financial compensation if this happens. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can be of assistance.
Weight Limits
18-wheelers can carry the maximum weight of 80,000 pounds including the weight and volume of cargo. This is a very strict limit that requires trucking firms to load their vehicles as full as possible and can lead to overloading. If a truck driver exceeds the limit, they could be fined, which varies according to the location.
If you take a look at the lights of an 18-wheeler you'll know if they're exceeding the speed limit. If their blinkers flash once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and multiple flashes are not. Be alert for truck drivers who use their lights as a way to communicate with each other.
It is important to leave a large gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler especially when passing. If you cut off the truck, it may cause a fatal crash. Car drivers are the cause of 72 percent of all collisions between trucks and cars.
Axles Axles
Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The typical truck has four axles, including the steer and drive axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical passenger vehicle, and it's important to be aware of this when driving with one of these vehicles.
The weight limits for axles are based on several factors including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit set by each state. The limit for each state can be higher than the Federal limit that is why it is vital for truckers and drivers to know the federal and state limit on axle weight before they travel.
The task of transporting freight is difficult enough however, adding more weight increases the risk of an accident. A trucker who overloads his trailer is in violation of law and could be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result. If 18 wheeler accident case hemet '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 limit of load allowed, and if this negligence was the cause of your injury.
Speed Limits
Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, as any driver knows. This is particularly true for large trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Truckers must, therefore, adhere to speed limits on all roads they travel.
Truck drivers are often under pressure to make quick delivery and may not be able slow down enough to meet the conditions. This could cause drivers to drive dangerously, which can be fatal for other drivers.
It is possible to decrease the risk of these accidents by using speed limiters. This device automatically restricts the speed of a vehicle to a safe level. It can be fitted on various types of vehicles.
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 a revised notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the idea. In previous proposals it was suggested that truck speeds should be limited to 60 or 65 miles per hour.
Insurance
The majority of private vehicle owners purchase a single policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers however don't own the truck they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Because of the heightened perils associated with commercial vehicles, trucking companies usually require higher liability insurance limits. Additionally, they may purchase cargo and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the freight that semi-trucks transport. Bobtail insurance protects the truck once it has delivered its load. These policies are able to 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 expensive to maintain and repair, especially when they need major repairs. Some trucking companies have maintenance schedules that estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle.
Trucks typically have 10 brakes, not 18 and anti-lock brakes are now available in all newer vehicles. The trucks take about 40% longer to stop than a car. This is due to the massive dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its acceleration increase the stopping distance.
The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking. It's included in songs of country music, such as the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and the thrash metal group BigRig's song "Roll on". It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't home on the road and that they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. For example, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving as a single second of negligence could result in fatal consequences.