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10 Things You Learned In Preschool That'll Help You Understand 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
18 Wheeler Legal Requirements

Every year trucks, 18-wheelers and tractor trailers are involved with a lot of accidents. They transport dangerous loads and their insurance requirements are higher than the requirements for private vehicles.

Driver fatigue is a typical reason for truck accidents. The law limits the amount of time truck drivers are allowed to drive and requires they keep accurate logs.

Weight limit

As Americans continue to shift their purchasing habits away from traditional in-person retail and toward online shopping, the road is becoming more crowded with trucks belonging to Amazon, FedEx, and other shipping companies. Many drivers are struggling to keep up with these massive vehicles with their speed and maneuverability. This is a challenge for all drivers, however smaller cars and passenger vehicles have a harder time maneuvering around these massive vehicles.

There are laws that define the legal limit of 18-wheelers. This applies to both the truck itself and the cargo it transports. It is essential to know the legal limitations to avoid driving over and risking your life.

The maximum gross vehicle mass for trucks is 80,000 pounds. However, there are several different weight limits for axle groups and single axles. Federal Bridge Formula, for example, limits the weight of a single axle to 20000 pounds. Tandem axles are, however, limited to 34,000 pounds. In addition to these regulations, states also have their own specific weight limits for single-axle and axle groups.

State-by state, the penalties for exceeding the weight limit may range from fines of up to $16,000. In some cases the driver's employer could be accountable for these fines as well. In the event of repeat offenders, they could receive higher fines than first-time offenders.

Lane restrictions

In addition to weight restrictions, the laws of the majority of states regulate the manner in which trucks can drive on highways. Certain states, for instance prohibit large trucks from driving in the left lane of multilane highways. This law is intended to keep vehicles from following trucks too closely and could cause an accident.

In these instances the truck driver has no choice but to switch lanes or risk a collision. To ensure that trucks are able to move swiftly over slower vehicles they must be in the right lane. Truck drivers should also be able to watch other motor vehicles in the left lane in order to look for traffic hazards or other dangers that require them to take a turn.

People who do not follow these laws put themselves and other drivers at risk of serious accidents. If a motorist is injured due to an unintentionally parked truck that violates the lane restriction laws they could be entitled to compensation.

Trucks require a lot space to move around. They have the biggest blind spots on the road. Some drivers block trucks when changing lanes. This can lead to them jackknife. Other times, drivers slow down to the point that the truck is unable to pass them, and this puts both parties at risk of an accident.

Bumper guards

Before installing bumper guards, you should check the laws of your state. 18 wheeler accident lawyer pittsburgh don't allow bumper guards while some only allow them on cars that are parked. These devices are also recommended for security when parking your vehicle in busy areas or in cities with plenty of parallel parking. They help prevent dents and scrapes which are usually caused by taller drivers backing into your truck or SUV.

They can also avoid collisions with trees' branches. Off-road vehicles are often equipped with cowcatchers, which resemble the ones found on freight trains. They remove brush and other debris and they can even assist by providing headlight protection.


There are many ways to install a rubber bumper guard. These include mat-style protectors and sticky rubber strips. The stick-on design is the easiest to install since it can be removed within minutes without leaving a sticky residue. However, it doesn't offer much protection and doesn't completely cover the entire length of your truck.

Some companies produce mat-style protectors that can be folded and roll-up for storage and transportation. The Luv-Tap is a well-loved model, which is constructed of soft cotton material that can be adjusted to suit different sizes of vehicles. It also has bright silver reflectors that improve visibility under poor lighting conditions. It comes with two straps that can be used to attach it to the trunk of your car and can be flipped up at any time.

Insurance

Truck accidents can be traumatic and can cause serious injuries or the death of a loved one. This is why state and federal regulations require trucking companies carry higher insurance premiums than regular passenger cars. They could be worth 40 times the amount of a standard policy. However, trucking insurers will do everything they can to avoid paying the victims of accidents. They frequently try to trick injured people into making a recorded statement or use other tactics to reduce their liability. It is essential to consult with a Denver truck crash lawyer when submitting an 18 wheeler claim.

The requirements for insurance for trucks are a bit complicated and differ depending on the jurisdiction in which it is located. The most frequent type of coverage is primary liability, which covers damages to property that the truck causes in the event of an accident. You should also consider the liability and cargo insurance for non-trucking purposes. The first protects the truck as it hauls loads and is typically included in the contract between the driver and their carrier. The latter is sometimes referred to as "bobtail" insurance and safeguards the driver and truck between the loads.

If you are injured in a tractor trailer accident the minimum insurance limits for tractors and trailers are much lower than those required for passenger automobiles. You'll have to battle the insurance company of the trucking firm to secure a fair settlement. A skilled Memphis truck accident lawyer can identify any potentially responsible parties including the truck driver as well as the trucking company and any dram shops that may have over-served the driver.

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