15 Incredible Stats About 18-Wheeler Wreck Lawyer
Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents happen and result in physical and medical expenses and time away from work. If an 18-wheeler is involved the consequences are far more severe. If this happens, the victims can file a claim for financial compensation. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist. Weight Limits 18-wheelers are restricted to carrying up to 80,000 pounds including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a very tight restriction that requires trucking companies to fill their vehicles to the maximum extent possible, which can result in overloaded. Drivers who exceed the limit could be fined. The penalties differ based the place they live. You can tell when an 18-wheeler is over the limit by watching their lights. If their blinkers flash once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams or multiple flashes aren't. Keep an eye out for truck drivers who are also using their lights to communicate with each other. Always leave a large gap between your vehicle, and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you're passing. If you cut off the truck, it may cause an unfatal crash. Although truck drivers are often considered to be bullies on the road 72% of collisions between passenger cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars. Axles Axles In contrast to cars, semi-trucks require multiple axles to turn the wheels. A semi-truck typically has four wheels, including the steer and drive axles. Trailers usually come with two tandem axles. It's important to remember that these vehicles are longer than a typical passenger car. Axle weight limitations are based on a range 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 could be higher than the Federal limit, which makes it essential for truckers to understand the federal and state axle weight limits before traveling. The challenge of hauling freight is enough to be difficult, but adding extra weight increases the likelihood of an accident. A trucker who overloads his trailer is in violation of the law and may be held responsible for any injuries that result. If you've been injured as a result of an accident with an 18-wheeler A lawyer for truck accidents can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and if this negligence caused your injury. Speed Limits Like any driver, speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents. This is particularly relevant for large trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Because of this, it is essential for truckers to adhere to the speed limits of every highway they travel. Truck drivers are often pressured to make quick delivery 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. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit allentown can decrease the risk of accidents. This device automatically restricts the speed of a vehicle to a safe level. It can be fitted on a variety of types. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is studying a new rule which would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the idea. Previous proposals have discussed restricting truck speeds to 60 to 65 or speeds of 68 speed. Insurance Most private vehicle owners purchase one insurance policy to cover their personal vehicles. Truckers however don't own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they rent their 18-wheelers from a company that transports trucks. Because of the risky nature associated with commercial vehicles, trucking companies usually require higher liability insurance limits. In addition, they can purchase cargo and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo coverage protects the freight that a semi transports, while bobtail insurance covers the truck after it delivers its load. These policies will pay compensation to victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It can be difficult to estimate the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because the trucks are expensive to repair and maintain particularly when they require major repairs. However some trucking firms offer maintenance schedules which provide an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes instead 18 and anti-lock break breaks are nowadays standard on all new trucks. In general, trucks take 40 percent longer than a typical car to stop. This is due to the large size and momentum of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's even been used in country music, for instance the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear” by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by the thrash metal group BigRig. However, it's important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't at home on the road and that they must obey the same rules as all other drivers. It is against the law to permit truckers, for instance to use their mobile phones while driving. A moment of inattention could have devastating consequences.