alibioxygen5

Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are a lot of car accidents that result in medical bills and physical damage as well as the need to take time off from work. When an 18 wheeler is involved, it can be a lot more serious. Victims are able to make a claim and receive financial compensation if this happens. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist. Weight Limits In general 18 wheelers are able to carry up to 80,000lbs, including the weight of cargo. This is a very strict limit that requires trucking companies to pack their vehicles with full capacity which could result in overloading. If a truck driver is in excess of this limit, they may be fined, which varies depending on the place of operation. You can generally tell if an 18-wheeler is over the limit by checking their lights. A single flash from their blinkers means that it's safe to merge front of them, but flashes of high intensity or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Keep an eye out for truck drivers who also use their lights to communicate. It is crucial to always leave a wide gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler especially when passing. If you cut off the truck, it could cause an accident that is fatal. Car drivers are the cause of 72 percent of all crashes between trucks and cars. The number of Axles Semi-trucks, unlike cars require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. A typical truck has four wheels, which includes the steer and drive axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. It's important to keep in mind that these vehicles are much longer than the average passenger car. The limits on axle weights are determined by a variety of factors including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit set by each state. The state limit may be higher than the Federal limit which is why it is crucial for truckers and drivers to know the state and federal limits on axle weight prior to travel. Transporting normal freight shipments can be challenging enough but adding additional weight increases the risk of accidents. A trucker who overloaded his trailer is in violation of law and may be held responsible for any injuries that result. If you've suffered injury in an accident caused by an 18 wheeler A lawyer for truck accidents will help determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum amount allowed, and if that negligence was the reason for your injuries. Speed Limits Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, as any driver knows. This is especially relevant for large trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their size and weight. This is why it is crucial for truckers to obey the speed limits of every road they travel. However truck drivers are frequently under pressure to deliver quick deliveries and may not be able slow down enough for the conditions. This can lead drivers to be reckless drivers, which could be fatal for other drivers. Speed limiters can reduce the chance of accidents. This is a device that can automatically restrict the speed of a vehicle to a safe amount, and it can be installed in various types of trucks. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is looking into the possibility of a new rule that will require truckers use these devices. The agency has issued a supplemental notification of proposed rulemaking to collect feedback on the proposed rule. Previous proposals have focused on restricting truck speeds to 60 to 65 or up to 68 speed. Insurance Most private vehicle owners buy one policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the trucks they drive. Instead, they rent their 18-wheelers from a trucking firm. Due to the increased risk that come with commercial vehicles, trucking firms typically require greater liability insurance limits. They can also purchase cargo insurance 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 cargo. In the event of a crash such policies can assist to compensate victims or grieving family members for the losses they suffered. Maintenance It is often difficult to obtain an accurate estimation of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. It is expensive to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. Some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes instead of 18 and anti-lock break breaks are currently standard on new trucks. 18 wheeler accident lawyer elizabeth take about 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due to the massive size of an 18-wheeler and its acceleration increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's 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 remember that these trucks are not at home on the road and they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truckers to text while driving as the smallest moment of distraction could lead to fatal consequences.