Ask Me Anything: 10 Answers To Your Questions About 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

18 wheeler accident lawsuit Wheeler Legal Requirements

Every year trucks, 18-wheelers and tractor trailers are involved in numerous accidents. They transport dangerous loads, and their insurance requirements are more stringent than those of private vehicles.

Driver fatigue is a typical cause of truck accidents. The law restricts the amount of time that truck drivers are allowed to drive and requires that they keep exact logs.

Weight limit

As Americans continue to move away from traditional retail stores in person and shift towards online shopping, the road is becoming more overrun by trucks from Amazon, FedEx and other shipping companies. This means that many drivers are struggling to keep up with the speed and maneuverability of these big vehicles. This is a problem for all drivers, however smaller vehicles and passenger cars have a harder time maneuvering around these huge vehicles.

There are laws governing the legal maximum for 18-wheelers. This includes both the truck itself and the cargo it carries. You must be aware of the legal restrictions to avoid driving over and put your life in danger.

The maximum gross vehicle weight for trucks is 80,000 pounds. There are weight limits that differ for axle groupings and single axles. Federal Bridge Formula, for instance, limits the weight of a single axle to 20,000 pounds. Tandem axles are however limited to 34,000 lbs. In addition to these rules states also have their own specific weight restrictions for single-axle and axle groups.

State-by-state, the penalties for exceeding the weight limit may range from fines up to $16,000. In some instances, the driver's employer may be responsible for these fines, too. In addition, repeat offenders could face higher fines than first-time offenders.

Lane restrictions

In addition to weight restrictions, laws of most states regulate the manner in which trucks can drive on highways. For example, some states separate large trucks and restrict them from driving in the left lane on multilane highways. This law is designed to keep vehicles from following trucks too closely and potentially causing an accident.

In these instances the truck driver would have no choice but to change lanes or risk collisions with cars that are driving in front of them. To be capable of passing slower cars quickly they must be in the right-hand lane. Truck drivers should also be able to monitor other motor vehicles in the left lane for hazards or traffic control devices that require the driver to turn.

If they do not adhere to these laws, they put themselves and other drivers at risk of serious accidents. If a motorist has been injured by a vehicle that violated the laws governing lane restrictions, the driver could be entitled compensation.

Trucks have some of the largest blind spots of any vehicle on the road, and require plenty of space to move around. In some cases, drivers in smaller vehicles block trucks when changing lanes, and this could cause them to be jackknifed. Other times, drivers slow down to a point that the truck is unable to pass them, and this puts both parties at risk of accident.

Bumper guards

Before installing bumper guards, you should consult your state's laws. Some states don't allow bumper guards, whereas others only allow them on cars that are parked. These devices are beneficial to have when parking your vehicle in busy areas or cities with plenty of parallel parking. They help prevent dents and scrapes which are usually caused by taller drivers backing into your car or SUV.

They also can be helpful in preventing collisions with tree branches. Off-road vehicles are often equipped with cowcatchers, which look like the ones on freight trains. They can be used to push debris and brush away and 18 wheeler accident even to protect headlights.

There are a variety of ways to install a rubber bumper. They include mat-style protectors as well as sticks-on rubber strips. Stick-on is the easiest to use because it can be removed in just a few minutes without leaving a sticky residue. But, this kind of design doesn't provide much protection and doesn't protect all the corners of your truck.

Certain companies make mat-style protectors that fold or roll-up for storage and transportation. The Luv-Tap is one of the most popular 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 low-light conditions. It has two straps that can be used to secure it to the trunk of your vehicle and flip it up whenever needed.

Insurance

Truck accidents can be catastrophic and cause serious injuries or the loss of a loved one. This is the reason federal and state regulations oblige trucking companies to carry far more extensive insurance policies than normal passenger cars. These policies may be worth up to 40 times as much as an ordinary policy. The trucking insurance companies will do anything to avoid paying victim claims. They usually trick injured people into signing a written statement or employ other strategies to limit their liability. It is essential to work with an attorney from a Denver truck crash lawyer when submitting an 18 wheeler accident claim.

The requirements for trucking insurance are complex and differ by jurisdiction. The most commonly used coverage is primary liability. It will cover property damage caused by the truck in the event of an accident. It is recommended to have cargo insurance as well as non-trucking liability. The first covers the truck when it transports an item and is often included in the contract between a driver and their carrier. The latter is sometimes referred to as "bobtail" insurance and safeguards the driver and truck during the time between loads.

If you have been injured in an 18 wheeler accident, you should know that the insurance limits for tractor-trailers are considerably lower than those that are required for passenger vehicles. You'll have to fight the insurance company of the trucking firm to negotiate a fair settlement. A Memphis truck accident attorney can identify all parties who are liable, including the trucker, the trucking company and any dram shops that may have served the driver excessive amounts of alcohol.