18 Wheeler Legal Requirements
Every year trucks, 18-wheelers and tractor trailers are involved in numerous accidents. They transport dangerous loads and have greater insurance requirements than private vehicles.
Driver fatigue is a frequent cause of truck accidents. The law limits how long truck drivers can drive and requires them to keep accurate logs of their working hours.
Weight limit
As Americans continue to move away from traditional retail stores in person and shift towards online shopping, the road is becoming more filled with trucks from Amazon, FedEx and other shipping companies. In the process, many drivers struggle to keep pace with the speed and maneuverability of these massive vehicles. This is a problem for all drivers, but smaller vehicles and passenger cars have a harder time maneuvering around these huge vehicles.
There are laws that regulate the maximum legal limit for 18-wheelers. This applies to the truck and the cargo it transports. It is important to know the legal limits to avoid driving over and placing your life in danger.
The maximum gross vehicle weight for trucks is 80,000 pounds. There are different weight limits for axle groups as well as single axles. Federal Bridge Formula, for instance, limits the weight of one axle to 20,000 pounds. Tandem axles however, are restricted to 34,000 pounds. In addition to these regulations states also have their own specific weight restrictions for single axles and axle groups.
State-by-state, penalties for exceeding the weight limit vary from fines of up to $16,000. In some instances the driver's employer could be responsible for the fines. In addition, repeat offenders may be penalized more than first-time offenders.
Lane restrictions
In addition to weight restrictions, the laws of the majority of states regulate where trucks may drive on highways. For example, some states separate large trucks and prohibit them from using the left lane on multilane highways. This law is intended to prevent cars from following trucks close, causing an accident.
In these instances the truck driver will have no choice but to change lanes and run the risk of a collision with vehicles that are behind them. In order for trucks to be able to pass slower vehicles quickly, they must be in the right lane. Truck drivers should also be able monitor other motor vehicles in the left lane to avoid dangers or traffic control devices that require them to make a turn.
In the absence of these laws, they place themselves and other motorists at risk of serious accidents. If someone is injured by a truck that has violated the laws governing lane restrictions, they could be entitled to compensation.
Trucks have the most blind spots of any vehicle on the road, and they require plenty of space to move. In some cases, drivers in smaller vehicles block trucks when they change lanes, which can cause them to hit each other in a jackknife. Other times, drivers slow down to a level that allows the truck to move past them, and this puts both parties at risk of an accident.
Bumper guards
Bumper guards can be a great way to protect your vehicle from damage, but you should check with your state's laws prior to installing them. 18 wheeler accident lawyer corpus christi prohibit them, while others permit them for vehicles that are parked. These devices are also worthwhile to invest in when parking your vehicle in crowded areas or in cities with many parallel parking. They stop dents and scrapes that often result from taller drivers backing into your car or SUV.
They also can be helpful in stopping collisions with tree branches. They resemble cowcatchers from freight trains, and they're an essential feature of off-road vehicles. They remove brush and other debris and they can even assist with headlight protection.
There are a number of different ways to install a bumper guard, such as mat-style protectors. The stick-on type is the easiest to use because it is able to be removed in minutes without leaving sticky residue. This kind of cover doesn't offer much protection, and it doesn't cover all corners of your vehicle.
Certain companies offer mat-style protective covers that can be rolled up or folded for easy transport and storage. The Luv-Tap is a well-loved model that is made of soft padded cotton material that can be adjusted to suit different sizes of vehicles. It also has bright silver reflectors that improve visibility in dim light conditions. It includes two straps that can be used to secure it to the trunk of your vehicle and can be turned upside down in the event of need.
Insurance
Truck accidents can cause grave injuries and even death. Federal and state regulations demand that trucking companies carry larger insurance policies than passenger cars. These policies could be worth 40 times that of the standard insurance policy. However, trucking insurance companies will do everything to avoid paying the victims of accidents. They usually trick injured people into giving an official statement or employ other techniques to minimize their liability. It is important to consult an experienced Denver truck crash attorney when filing an 18 wheeler accident claim.
The requirements for trucking insurance are a bit complicated and differ depending on jurisdiction. The most common coverage is the primary liability. It will cover property damage caused by the truck in the event of an accident. You should also think about the liability and cargo insurance for other purposes. The former covers the truck when it's carrying a load, and is usually included in the contract of a driver of a truck with their carrier. The latter is often referred to as "bobtail" insurance and protects the driver as well as the truck during the time between loads.
If you've been injured in an 18 wheeler accident, it is important to understand that the insurance limits for tractor-trailers are considerably lower than those that are required for passenger vehicles. This means that you'll be fighting with the insurance company of the trucking company for a fair settlement. A Memphis truck accident attorney can identify all parties that could be liable, including the trucking company, the driver and any dram store that could have served the driver with too much alcohol.