lentilcoffee1

Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? A lot of car accidents happen and cause physical injuries, medical bills and time lost from work. If an 18-wheeler vehicle is involved, the consequences can be more severe. In this case, victims can file a claim to receive financial compensation. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can be of assistance. Weight Limits 18-wheelers are limited to carrying the maximum weight of 80,000 pounds including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a tight limit that requires trucking firms to fill their vehicles as full as possible, which can result in overloading. If a truck driver is in excess of the limit, they could be fined, which varies by location. You can usually tell if an 18 wheeler is over the limit by checking their lights. If their blinkers flash only once, it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams or multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also use their lights to communicate, so keep an an eye out for them when merging. It's important to always leave a significant gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler especially when you are passing. If you cut off the truck, it could cause an accident that is fatal. Car drivers are the primary cause of 72 percent of crashes involving vehicles and trucks. The number of Axles Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles to turn the wheels. The typical semi-truck has four axles, which includes the drive and steer axles, while a trailer typically has two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a typical car and it's crucial to be aware of this when driving in the vicinity of one of these vehicles. Axle weight limits are based on various factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit set by each state. Limits for states can be higher than federal limits, therefore it is important for truckers to check both before traveling. Moving standard freight shipments is enough of a challenge and a heavier load increases the chance of accidents. When 18 wheeler accident claim indio overloads their trailer they are in breach of the law and could be held liable for the results of injuries. A truck accident lawyer can determine if the driver of an 18-wheeler was negligent and was the cause of the accident in case you were injured. Speed Limits Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, as every driver knows. This is especially the case for big trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Therefore, truckers must adhere to speed limits on all roads they travel on. However, truck drivers are often required to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able to slow down enough to meet the conditions. This can result in dangerous driving, and could also be deadly for other motorists. Speed limiters reduce the risk of accidents. This is a device which will automatically limit the speed of a truck to a safe level and can be fitted in a variety of types of trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is currently evaluating the possibility of a new rule that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released a new notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the rule. Previous proposals have talked about limiting truck speeds to 60 or 65 mph, or even the speed limit of 68 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private car owners purchase a single policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a company that transports trucks. Companies that transport goods require greater limits of liability insurance due to the fact that commercial vehicles are more hazardous. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo that a semi-truck is carrying. Bobtail insurance covers the truck once it has delivered its cargo. In the event of an accident such policies can assist to compensate grieving victims or family members for their losses. Maintenance It is often difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. Trucks are expensive to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. However certain trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that will give an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks are typically equipped with only ten brakes, not 18 and anti-lock brakes have become standard in newer vehicles. In general, trucks take about 40 percent longer than a normal car to stop. 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 is featured in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and the thrash metal group BigRig's hit song “Roll on”. It is important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't at all times on the roads and must follow the same guidelines as other drivers. It is against the law for truckers, for instance to use their mobile phones while driving. A split second of negligence could result in devastating consequences.