18 Wheeler Legal Requirements
Every year truck, 18-wheelers and tractor trailers are involved in numerous accidents. They transport dangerous loads and their insurance requirements are higher than those of private vehicles.
Truck accidents are often caused by fatigued drivers. The law restricts how long truck drivers can drive and requires them to keep accurate logs of their hours of service.
Weight limit
As Americans continue to shift away from traditional retail in-person and move towards online shopping, the roads are becoming increasingly packed with trucks of Amazon, FedEx and other shipping companies. As a result, many drivers are struggling to keep up with the speed and maneuverability of these large vehicles. This is a problem for all drivers, but smaller vehicles and passenger vehicles are having a difficult time maneuvering around these huge vehicles.
Fortunately there are laws in place to regulate the maximum legal weight limit for 18 wheelers. This applies to the truck as a whole and the cargo it transports. It is important to know the legal restrictions to avoid driving over and risking your life.
The maximum gross vehicle mass for trucks is 80,000 lbs. There are weight limits that differ for axle groupings and single axles. Federal Bridge Formula, for example, limits the weight of an individual axle to 20,000 pounds. Tandem axles are, however, limited to 34,000 pounds. States also have their own weight restrictions, both for single-axle vehicles and axle groups.
State-by-state, penalties for a violation of the weight limit may range from fines up to $16,000. In certain instances fines can also be imposed by the driver's employer. Repeat offenders could also be liable for higher fines.
Lane restrictions
In addition to weight restrictions, laws of a majority of states govern where trucks are allowed to drive on highways. Certain states, like prohibit large trucks from operating in the left lane of a multilane highway. This law is intended to prevent vehicles from following trucks too close, causing an accident.
In these circumstances the truck driver will be forced to change lanes or risk collision with cars who are driving behind them. In order for trucks to be able to pass slower vehicles quickly, they must be in the right lane. Truck drivers must also be able to monitor other motor vehicles in the left lane for dangers or traffic control devices that require them to make a turn.
Those who ignore these laws put themselves and other drivers at risk of serious accidents. If someone is injured by a vehicle that has not complied with the lane restriction laws, they could be entitled compensation.
Trucks require plenty of space to move. They have the biggest blind spots on the road. Some drivers block trucks when they change lanes. This can result in them to jackknife. Sometimes drivers slow down that trucks cannot pass them. This puts both drivers at risk of a crash.
Bumper guards
Before installing bumper guards, review the laws in your state. Certain states do not permit bumper guards while some only permit them on cars parked. These devices are beneficial to have when parking your vehicle in crowded areas or cities with a lot of parallel parking. These devices can prevent scratches and dents caused by drivers who are taller backing up into your truck or SUV.
They can also prevent collisions with branches of trees. They resemble cowcatchers on freight trains, and are a common feature of off-road vehicles. They help clear brush and other debris and can also assist in securing headlights.
There are a variety of ways to install a bumper guard made of rubber. These include mat-style protectors as well as stick-on rubber strips. The stick-on style is the simplest to use and can be removed in a matter of minutes without leaving an unattractive residue. But, this kind of design does not provide much protection and does not protect all the corners of your truck.
Certain companies manufacture mat-style protectors that can be rolled up or folded for easy transport and storage. The Luv-Tap is one of the most popular model, which is made of gentle padded cotton material and can be adjusted to suit various vehicle sizes. It also comes with bright silver reflectors to improve visibility in poor lighting conditions. It comes with two included straps that attach it to the trunk of your vehicle. It can be flipped out when it is required.
Insurance
Truck accidents can result in grave injuries and even death. 18 wheeler accident lawyer san marcos is why state and federal regulations require trucking companies carry far more extensive insurance policies than regular passenger cars. They can be worth 40 times more than the standard insurance. However, trucking insurance companies will do everything to avoid paying the victims of accidents. They will often try to entice injured victims into giving a recorded statement or use other tactics to minimize their liability. When claiming a claim for an 18-wheeler accident it is vital to speak with a Denver truck accident attorney.
Trucking insurance requirements are complex and vary based on the jurisdiction in which they are located. The most common coverage is primary liability. It protects property from damage caused by the truck in the event of an accident. It is also important to think about liability insurance and cargo insurance for non-trucking. The former covers the truck while it's transporting a load and it is often included in the contract of a driver of a truck with their carrier. The latter, sometimes referred to "bobtail" coverage, protects both the driver of the truck as well as the truck during the time between loads.
If you suffer injuries in a tractor-trailer accident, the minimum insurance limits for tractors and trailers are significantly lower than the limits for passenger cars. This means that you'll need to negotiate with the insurance company for the trucking business to get an equitable settlement. A Memphis truck accident lawyer can identify all parties that could be responsible, including the trucker, the trucking company and any dram shops that served the driver with too much alcohol.