Is an Sheboygan 18 Wheeler Accident Lawsuit Wheeler Legal?

Numerous car accidents occur and cause physical injuries, medical bills and time away from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved it can be even more serious.

Victims may make a claim and receive an amount of money if they suffer. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can help.

Weight Limits

In general, 18 wheelers can only carry 80,000 pounds including the weight of cargo. This is a very strict limit that requires trucking firms to pack their vehicles to capacity which could result in overloaded. Truck drivers who exceed this limit may be penalized. The penalties vary based the place they live.

You can usually tell if an 18 wheeler is going over the limit by checking their lights. A single flash of their blinkers means that it's safe to merge in ahead of them, whereas flashes of high intensity or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Be alert for truck drivers who also use their lights as a way to communicate with each other.

Always leave a good distance between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you are passing. Trucks require plenty room to slow down and stop when they stop, and if you cut them off it could result in an unfathomable crash. Car drivers are responsible for 72% of all crashes between cars and trucks.

Number of Axles

Semi-trucks, like cars, require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A typical truck has four wheels, which includes the drive and steer axles. Trailers typically come with two tandem axles. It's important to keep in mind that these vehicles are much bigger than the average passenger car.

The weight limits for axles are based on several factors which include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limits set by each state. The state limit could be higher than the Federal limit and this is why it is essential for truckers to be aware of the federal and state limits on axle weight prior to travel.

Transporting normal freight shipments can be difficult enough however, adding extra weight increases the chance of accidents. A trucker who overloaded his trailer is in violation of law and could be held responsible for any injuries that occur as a result. If you've been injured as a result of 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 the injury.

Speed Limits

Every driver knows that speeding is among the most frequent causes of truck accidents. This is especially applicable to large trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Truckers must therefore observe speed limits on all roads they travel.

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

Speed limiters reduce the risk of accidents. This is a device which will automatically restrict the speed of a truck to a safe speed that can be used in a variety of trucks.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is studying an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released an additional notice of proposed rulemaking to collect feedback on the proposed rule. Previous proposals have talked about restricting truck speeds to 60 or 65, or even the speed limit of 68 speeds.

Insurance

Most private vehicle owners purchase a single insurance policy to cover their personal vehicles. The truckers do not own the trucks that they drive. They rent their frostburg 18 wheeler accident law firm-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Because of the risky nature associated with commercial vehicles trucking firms typically require greater liability insurance limits. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo coverage protects the freight the semi is transporting while bobtail insurance protects the truck after it delivers its load. These policies will help grieving families and victims members in the event of an accident.

Maintenance

It can be difficult to estimate the cost of maintenance for commercial vehicles. It is expensive to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are needed. Some trucking companies have maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle.

Trucks have ten brakes instead eighteen and anti-lock breaks are currently standard on new trucks. They take about 40% longer to stop than a car. This is because the large size of an 18-wheeler and its speed increase the stopping distance.

The term "eighteen-wheeler" is now synonymous with trucking. It's been used in country music, like the songs "Giddyup go" and "Teddy Bear", by Red Sovine, and "Roll on" by thrash metal group BigRig. But it is crucial to keep in mind that these vehicles are not at home on the road and that they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. It is against the law for truckers, as an example to use their phones while driving. A split second of inattention can have devastating consequences.