15 Reasons Not To Ignore 18-Wheeler Wreck Lawyer
Is an hephzibah 18 wheeler accident lawyer Wheeler Legal?
There are numerous car accidents that cause physical and medical expenses in addition to absence from work. If an port hueneme 18 wheeler accident law firm-wheeler is involved, the consequences could be more severe.
If this happens, the 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
18-wheelers are restricted to carrying a maximum of 80,000 pounds including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a tight limit that requires trucking firms to fill their vehicles to the maximum extent possible and could result in overloading. If a trucker exceeds this limit, they may be subject to fines that vary according to the location.
You can generally tell if an 18 wheeler is over the limit by looking at their lights. If their blinkers flash only once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and flashes with multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep on the lookout for them when merging.
Always leave a good distance between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is crucial when passing. Trucks require plenty of space to slow down and stop, and if you cut them off it could result in fatal crashes. While truck drivers are often seen as bullies on the road 72% of crashes between trucks and passenger cars are caused by drivers of cars.
Number of Axles
Semi-trucks, unlike cars require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. A typical semi-truck has four wheels, which includes the steer and drive axles. Trailers usually come with two tandem axles. It's important to remember that these vehicles are much longer than the average passenger car.
The weight limits for axles are based on several factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit posted by each state. The state limit can often be higher than the Federal limit, which makes it essential for truckers to be aware of the state and federal axle weight limits prior to traveling.
The challenge of hauling freight is already difficult enough and adding additional weight increases the likelihood of an accident. If truckers overload their trailer they are in breach of the law and may be held accountable for resultant injuries. If you've been injured in an accident with an 18 wheeler an attorney for truck accidents can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and if that negligence caused your injury.
Speed Limits
Every driver knows that speeding is one of the most frequent causes of truck accidents. This is particularly the case for large trucks due to their size, weight and size. Truckers must therefore observe speed limits on all roads they travel on.
However, truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver quick deliveries and may not be able slow down enough to accommodate the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and could also be fatal to other motorists.
Speed limiters can lower the chance of accidents. This is a device that will automatically restrict the speed of a vehicle to a safe limit and is used in a variety of trucks.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is looking into an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released an additional notification of the proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the proposal. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds be restricted to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour.
Insurance
Most private vehicle owners purchase a single insurance policy to protect their personal vehicles. Truckers on the other hand do not own the trucks they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies require greater limits for liability insurance as commercial vehicles are more dangerous. In addition, they can purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo that semi-trucks transport. Bobtail insurance protects the truck once it has delivered its load. In the event of a crash 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 estimation of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. They are costly to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. Some trucking companies have maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle.
Trucks typically have 10 brakes, not 18, and Bastrop 18 wheeler accident Lawyer anti-lock brakes are the norm in newer trucks. In general, trucks take 40 percent longer than a typical car to stop. This is due to the huge size of an 18-wheeler and its acceleration add to the stopping distance.
The term "eighteen-wheeler" is now synonymous with trucking. It's been used in country music, such as the songs "Giddyup go" and "Teddy Bear", by Red Sovine, and "Roll on" by the thrash metal group BigRig. It is important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't at home on the roads and must follow the same guidelines as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truck drivers to text while driving because the slightest mistake could result in fatal consequences.