10 Things People Hate About 18-Wheeler Wreck Lawyer
Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?
There are many accidents in the car that result in physical and medical bills in addition to time away from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved the consequences could be more severe.
When this happens, victims are able to file a claim for financial compensation. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can help.
Weight Limits
In general 18 wheelers are able to transport up to 80,000 lbs in total, not including the weight of cargo. This is a tight limit that requires trucking firms to pack their trucks to the maximum extent possible and can lead to overloaded. Truck drivers who exceed this limit can be fined. The fines vary depending the place they live.
It is easy to tell if an 18 wheeler is over the limit by observing their lights. If their blinkers flash once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep alert for them when merging.
It is important to leave a significant gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler, particularly when you pass. Trucks require plenty of room to slow down and stop and if you cut them off it could result in an unfathomable crash. Car drivers are the primary cause of 72 percent of crashes involving cars and trucks.
The number of Axles
In contrast to cars, semi-trucks require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. A semi-truck typically has four wheels, which includes the drive and steer axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a typical passenger vehicle and it's important to keep this in mind when driving alongside one of these vehicles.
The weight limits of axles are determined by a variety of factors which include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit posted by each state. The limit for la grande 18 Wheeler accident lawyer each state can be higher than the Federal limit which is why it is crucial for truckers and drivers to know the federal and state limit on axle weight before they travel.
The task of transporting freight is enough to be difficult and adding additional weight increases the risk of an accident. When the trucker overloads their trailer they are in breach of the law and may be held accountable for resultant injuries. If you've been injured as a result of an accident involving an williamston 18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler, a truck accident lawyer can determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and whether this negligence caused the injury.
Speed Limits
As any driver knows, speeding is among the leading causes of truck accidents. This is especially the case for big trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Truckers must therefore observe the speed limits on every road they travel.
However truck drivers are usually pressured to make quick deliveries and might not be able to slow down enough to cope with the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and it could also be fatal for other motorists.
Fortunately, it is possible to minimize the chance of these accidents by using speed limiters. This device automatically reduces the speed of a vehicle to a safe limit. It is able to be installed on many different types.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is currently evaluating a new rule that will require truckers to make use of these devices. The agency has issued a revised notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the proposal. The previous proposals have talked about the limitation of truck speeds to 60 or 65, or even 68 miles per hour.
Insurance
Most private vehicle owners buy one policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers on the other hand do not own the vehicles they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Because of the higher risk associated with commercial vehicles trucking firms typically require greater liability insurance limits. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurances for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo that a semi is carrying and bobtail insurance safeguards the truck when it delivers its load. In the event of a wreck these policies can be used to compensate victims or grieving family members for their losses.
Maintenance
It's difficult to come up with an accurate estimate of the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. They are costly to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are required. However some trucking firms offer maintenance schedules that give an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle.
Trucks typically have ten brakes, not eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are now common in newer vehicles. In general, trucks take 40 percent longer than a standard car to stop. This is due to the massive dimensions and the speed of an 18-wheeler.
The term "eighteen-wheeler" is now synonymous with trucking. It's been used in country music, including 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 vehicles are not at home on the road and they must obey the same rules as all other drivers. It is against the law for truckers, Bastrop 18 wheeler accident Lawyer for instance, to text while driving. One second of inattention could have devastating consequences.