Is an 18 wheeler accident law firms Wheeler Legal?

Many car accidents occur and result in physical and medical expenses and time taken away from work. However, when an 18 wheeler gets involved it can be even more serious.

Victims can file a claim to receive financial compensation when this occurs. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist.

Weight Limits

18-wheelers can carry an maximum of 80,000 lbs including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a very strict limitation that requires trucking companies to fill their vehicles to capacity, which can lead to overloaded. Truck drivers who exceed this limit may be penalized, and the fines vary depending on the location they reside in.

If you look at the lights of an 18-wheeler, accidents you can usually tell whether they're exceeding the speed limit. A single flash of their blinkers signifies that it's safe to merge in the front of them, whereas high beams or multiple flashes indicate that it's not. Truck drivers also use their lights to communicate, so keep alert for them when merging.

It is important to leave a wide gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler accident attorneys-wheeler, especially when passing. Trucks require plenty of space to slow down and stop and if you cut them off this could result in a deadly crash. Car drivers are the cause of 72 percent of all collisions between cars and trucks.

Number of Axles

Semi-trucks are different from cars in that they require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. A typical truck has four wheels, including the drive and steer axles. Trailers usually come with two tandem axles. It's important to note that these vehicles are longer than the average passenger car.

Limits on axle weights are based upon a variety of factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits set by each state for single axles and axle groups. The limits of the state may be higher than federal limits, and it is essential for truckers to verify prior to travel.

The challenge of hauling freight isn't difficult enough and adding additional weight increases the risk of an accident. A trucker who overloads his truck is in violation of the law and could be held accountable for any injuries that occur as a result. A lawyer for truck accidents can determine if the operator of an 18-wheeler was negligent and was the cause of the accident if you were injured.

Speed Limits

Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, as every driver is aware. This is especially applicable to large trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their weight and size. Truckers should therefore adhere to the speed limits on every road they travel.

Truck drivers are often pressured to deliver quickly and may not be able slow down enough to meet the conditions. This can result in dangerous driving, and it can also be fatal for other motorists.

Speed limiters reduce the chance of accidents. This is a device which will automatically limit the speed of a truck to a safe level and is installed in many different types of trucks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering the possibility of a new rule that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued a second notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the idea. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds be restricted to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour.

Insurance

The majority of private owners purchase one insurance policy to protect their vehicles. Truckers on the other hand do not own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers to a trucking company. Trucking companies require greater limits of liability insurance because commercial vehicles are more hazardous. In addition, they can purchase bobtail and cargo coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the freight that semi-trucks are hauling. Bobtail insurance covers the truck after it has delivered its cargo. These policies may pay compensation to victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident.

Maintenance

It is often difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. Trucks are expensive to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. Some companies that operate in the field of trucking offer maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle.

Trucks come with ten brakes instead of eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are now standard on new trucks. Trucks take approximately 40% longer to stop than a car. This is due in part to the large dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its momentum add to the stopping distance.

The term "eighteen-wheeler" is now synonymous with trucking. It's even used in country music, like the songs "Giddyup go" and "Teddy Bear", by Red Sovine, and "Roll on" by thrash metal group BigRig. However, it's important to keep in mind that these vehicles aren't home on the road, and that they are subject to the same rules as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, as an example, to text while driving. One second of inattention could result in disastrous consequences.