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20 Great Tweets From All Time About 18-Wheeler Wreck Lawyer
Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?

A lot of car accidents happen and can result in physical and medical expenses and time away from work. If an 18-wheeler vehicle is involved, the consequences are far more severe.

Victims can make a claim for the financial compensation they deserve if this happens. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help.


Weight Limits

In general 18 wheelers can carry up to 80,000lbs which includes the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking companies to pack their vehicles as full as possible and may result in overloaded. Truck drivers who exceed this limit may be penalized. The fines will vary depending on where they reside.

It is easy to tell if an 18 wheeler is going 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 multiple flashes aren't. Be alert for truck drivers who are also using their lights as a way to communicate.

Always leave a wide gap between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you're passing. Trucks need 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

Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The most common truck has four axles, which includes the steer and drive axles, while trailers usually have two tandem axles. It's important to keep in mind that these vehicles are much larger than the typical passenger car.

The limits on axle weights are based on various factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit posted by each state. Limits for states can be higher than federal limits, therefore it is essential for truckers and drivers to be aware of prior to travel.

Moving standard freight shipments can be challenging enough, but adding more heft increases the chance of accidents. If the trucker overloads their trailer and is in violation of the law and can be held accountable for the resulting injuries. A lawyer for truck accidents can determine whether the driver of an 18-wheeler was negligent and the cause of the accident if you were injured.

Speed Limits

Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, which every driver knows. This is especially true for large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Therefore, it is essential for truckers to observe the speed limits on every road they travel.

However truck drivers are frequently forced to make deliveries in a hurry and might not be able to slow down enough for the conditions. This can cause drivers be reckless drivers, which could be fatal for other drivers.

Fortunately, it is possible to decrease the chance of accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device that can automatically limit the speed of a vehicle to a safe speed and is fitted in a variety of types of trucks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is examining an updated rule that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released an additional notice of proposed rulemaking in order to collect feedback on the rule. In previous proposals it was suggested that truck speeds should be restricted to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour.

Insurance

The majority of private owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the trucks they drive. Instead, they rent their 18-wheelers from a company that transports trucks. Because of the higher risk that come with commercial vehicles, trucking companies usually require higher liability insurance limits. In addition, they can purchase bobtail and cargo insurance for their vehicles. 18 wheeler accident lawyer kenner protects the cargo that a semi transports and bobtail insurance protects the truck after it delivers its load. These policies are able to provide compensation to grieving victims and family members in the event of an accident.

Maintenance

It's often difficult to get an accurate estimation of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. The maintenance costs for trucks are high and repair, especially when major repairs are required. Some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle.

Trucks are typically equipped with ten brakes, not eighteen, and anti-lock brakes have become the norm in new trucks. In general, trucks require around 40 percent longer than a typical car to stop. This is due to the large size and acceleration of an 18-wheeler.

The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking and is even used in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and thrash metal band BigRig's hit song "Roll on". However, it is important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't at home on the road, and they must follow the same rules as all other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truck drivers to text while driving as the slightest mistake could lead to fatal consequences.

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