jailtest81

Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents occur and can result in physical and medical expenses and time away from work. If an 18 wheeler is involved, it can be even more dangerous. Victims are able to make a claim for financial compensation when this occurs. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist. Weight Limits 18-wheelers are restricted to carrying an maximum of 80,000 lbs including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a tight limitation that requires trucking companies to pack their trucks as full as possible and may result in overloading. Truck drivers who exceed the limit could be fined, and the penalties vary based on where they reside. It is easy to tell if an 18 wheeler is going over the limit by checking their lights. A single flash of their blinkers suggests that it's safe to merge in front of them, but flashes that are high or multiple indicate that it's not. Truck drivers also utilize their lights to communicate, so keep an an eye out for them when merging. It's important to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler, particularly when you pass. Trucks require plenty room to slow down and stop If you cut them off, it could lead to fatal crashes. Although 18 wheeler accident lawyer boise city are commonly considered to be bullies on the road 72% of crashes between trucks and passenger cars result from car drivers. Axles Axles As opposed to cars, semi-trucks have multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A typical truck has four wheels, which includes the steer and drive axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a standard passenger vehicle, and it's important to be aware of this when driving along with one of these vehicles. The weight limits of axles are based on various factors including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit set by each state. The state limit could 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. Transporting normal freight shipments can be difficult enough and a heavier load increases the risk of accidents. When a trucker overloads their trailer is in violation of the law and may be held responsible for results of injuries. If you've been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler, a truck accident lawyer can determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and if this negligence was the reason for your injuries. Speed Limits For any driver, speeding is among the most frequent causes of truck accidents. This is especially relevant for large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Therefore, it is crucial for truckers to obey the speed limits on each highway they travel. Truck drivers are often pressured to deliver quickly and may not be able to slow enough to accommodate the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and it can also be fatal to other motorists. It is, however, possible to minimize the chance of these accidents by using speed limiters. This device is able to limit the speed of a car to a safe speed. It can be installed on a variety of types. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is looking at an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released a new notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit feedback on the proposal. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds should be limited to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance Most private vehicle owners purchase one insurance policy to cover their personal vehicles. Truckers, however, do not own the trucks that they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies need higher limits of liability insurance since commercial vehicles are more risky. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the freight that a semi-truck is carrying. Bobtail insurance covers the truck after it has delivered its load. These policies can help grieving families and victims members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It is often difficult to estimate the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. It is expensive to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. However some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that provide an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks come with ten brakes instead of eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are currently standard on new trucks. In general, trucks take 40% longer than a regular car to stop. This is due to the massive size of an 18-wheeler and its acceleration increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking. It's even used in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and the thrash metal group BigRig's song “Roll on”. It is crucial to keep in mind that these trucks aren't at home on the roads and must follow the same guidelines as other drivers. It is against the law for truckers, for instance, to text while driving. A single second of inattention could have fatal consequences.