18 Wheeler Legal Requirements
Trucks, 18 wheelers and tractor-trailers are involved in many wrecks each year. 18 wheeler accident settlement livonia carry dangerous loads and have higher insurance requirements than private vehicles.
Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by fatigued drivers. The law limits the amount of time that truck drivers are allowed to drive and requires they keep exact logs.
Weight limit
As Americans continue to shift their shopping habits away from traditional retail and toward online shopping, the road is becoming more crowded with trucks belonging to Amazon, FedEx, and other shipping companies. This means that many drivers are struggling to keep up with the speed and maneuverability of these large vehicles. This is a challenge for everyone however it is particularly challenging for passenger cars and smaller trucks to maneuver around these massive vehicles.
Fortunately there are laws in place to regulate the maximum legal weight limit for 18 wheelers. This includes the truck as well as the cargo it carries. It's important to know the legal limits so that you can avoid driving over them and placing yourself 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. For instance the Federal Bridge Formula sets a single-axle limit of 20,000 pounds, while axles spaced over 40 inches but no more than 96 inches apart (tandem axles) are restricted to 34,000 pounds. States also have their own weight restrictions, which apply to single-axle vehicles and axle groups.
State-by state, the penalties for exceeding a weight limit can range from fines up to $16,000. In certain cases, fines may also be issued by the driver's company. Repeat offenders could also face higher fines.
Lane restrictions
In addition to weight restrictions, the laws of most states regulate where trucks are allowed to drive on highways. For instance, certain states exclude large trucks and ban them from driving on the left side on multilane roadways. This law is intended to prevent cars from following trucks that are too close, causing an accident.
In these instances the truck driver would have no choice but to change lanes or risk a collision with cars that are driving behind them. In order for trucks to be able to pass slower cars quickly, they must be in the right-hand lane. Truck drivers also need to be able to watch other motor vehicles in the left lane for potential hazards or traffic control devices that require the driver to turn.
By not complying with these laws, they put themselves and other motorists at risk of serious accidents. If a motorist gets injured by a vehicle that has violated lane restriction laws, they could be entitled to compensation.
Trucks have the biggest blind spots of any vehicle on the road, and need plenty of space to move around. In some cases, drivers in smaller vehicles cut trucks off when they change lanes, and this can cause them to be jackknifed. Sometimes drivers slow down to a point that the truck is unable to move past them, and this puts both parties at risk of accident.
Bumper guards
Bumper guards can be a great option to shield your vehicle from damage, but you should check with your state laws before installing them. Certain states do not permit bumper guards while some only allow them on parked cars. These devices are also worthwhile to invest in when parking your vehicle in busy areas or in cities with lots of parallel parking. They help prevent dents and scrapes that often result from taller drivers backing into your car or SUV.
They can also prevent collisions with branches of trees. Off-road vehicles often have these cowcatchers, which resemble those found on freight trains. They clear away dirt and other debris and can also assist by providing headlight protection.
There are many different ways to install bumper guards, such as mat-style protectors. The easiest to use is the stick-on model that can be removed in just minutes, without leaving any sticky residue. The stick-on style doesn't provide much protection, and it does not cover all the corners of your vehicle.
Certain companies offer mat-style protective covers that can be rolled or folded for easy transport and storage. The Luv-Tap is one of the most popular model that is composed of soft padded cotton material and can be adjusted to fit various sizes of vehicles. It also comes with shiny silver reflectors, which improve visibility in low-light conditions. It comes with two included straps that connect it to the trunk of your vehicle and can be removed as required.
Insurance
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries and even death. State and federal regulations require that trucking companies carry larger insurance policies than passenger cars. They can be worth up 40 times more than a standard policy. Trucking insurance companies, however, will do whatever they can to avoid paying accident victim claims. They frequently trick injured people into making statements that are recorded or employ other strategies to limit their liability. It is important to consult an experienced Denver truck crash attorney when filing an 18 wheeler crash claim.
Trucking insurance requirements are complex and vary based on the jurisdiction in which they are located. The most commonly used type of insurance is primary liability, which covers damages to property that the truck causes in an accident. It is also a good idea to have cargo insurance, as well as non-trucking liability. The former covers the truck while it's carrying a load, and it is often included in a trucker's contract with their carrier. The latter is often referred to as "bobtail" insurance, and it protects the driver as well as the 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 significantly lower than the limits required for passenger vehicles. You'll have to battle the insurance firm of the trucking company to get an equitable settlement. A Memphis truck accident lawyer can determine who could be responsible, including the trucker, the trucking company and any dram shops that could have served the driver with too much alcohol.