18 wheeler accident attorney Wheeler Legal Requirements

Every year trucks, 18-wheelers and tractor trailers are involved in many accidents. They carry dangerous loads and have greater insurance requirements than private cars.

Driver fatigue is a typical cause of truck accidents. The law limits the amount of time truck drivers are allowed to drive and requires they keep accurate records.

Weight limit

As Americans continue to move away from traditional retail in-person and towards online shopping, the roads are becoming increasingly filled with trucks from Amazon, FedEx and other shipping companies. Many drivers struggle to keep up with these huge vehicles with their speed and maneuverability. This is a problem for everyone however it is particularly challenging for smaller trucks to maneuver around these massive vehicles.

There are laws governing the legal maximum limit for 18-wheelers. This includes the truck and the cargo that it carries. It is essential to know the legal limits to avoid driving over and risking your life.

The maximum gross vehicle mass for trucks is 80,000 pounds. There are different weight limits for axle groups and single axles. For instance, the Federal Bridge Formula sets a single-axle limit of 20,000 pounds while axles spaced over 40 inches but not more than 96 inches apart (tandem axles) are restricted to 34,000 pounds. States also have their own weight restrictions, both for single-axle vehicles and axle groups.

State-by-state, the penalties for exceeding the weight limit may range from fines to $16,000. In some instances the driver's employer could be accountable for these fines too. Repeat offenders could also be liable for greater fines.

Lane restrictions

Most states have laws which restrict where trucks can travel on highways. For example, some states separate large trucks and restrict them from using the left lane on multilane roads. This law is designed to prevent cars from following trucks too closely, and potentially causing an accident.

In these situations the truck driver is left with no choice but to change lane or risk a collision. To ensure that trucks are able to pass slower vehicles quickly, they need to be in the right line of sight. Truck drivers must be able to watch other motor vehicles in the left lane for dangers or traffic control devices that require them to turn.

If they do not adhere to these laws, they put themselves and other drivers at risk for serious accidents. If an individual is injured by a vehicle that has not complied with the lane restriction laws, they could be entitled to compensation.

Trucks have some of the largest blind spots of any vehicle on the road, and need plenty of space to move. Some drivers block trucks when changing lanes. This can cause them to jackknife. Other times drivers slow down to a point where the truck can't pass them, and this puts both parties at risk of accident.

Bumper guards

Bumper guards are a fantastic way to protect your truck from damage, however, you must check your state's laws prior to installing them. Certain states do not permit bumper guards, while others only permit them on vehicles that are parked. They can also be used to guard your vehicle when you park in crowded areas or in cities where parking parallel is common. They help prevent dents and scrapes which are usually caused by taller drivers backing into your truck or SUV.

They can also avoid collisions with tree branches. Off-road vehicles often have these cowcatchers, which look like those on freight trains. They can be used to shove debris and brush away and even to protect headlights.

There are several ways to install a rubber bumper guard. These include mat-style protectors and sticks-on rubber strips. The most convenient is the stick-on style, which can be removed in just a few minutes without leaving any sticky residue. The stick-on style doesn't provide any protection, and it doesn't cover all corners of your vehicle.

Some companies make mat-style protectors that can be folded up or folded to make it easy for transport and storage. The Luv-Tap is a popular model made from a soft cotton material that can be adapted to different vehicle sizes and is a sought-after product. It also has reflective silver lights that brighten up visibility in low lighting conditions. It comes with two straps that can be used to secure it to your vehicle's trunk and flip it up whenever needed.

Insurance

Truck accidents can be catastrophic and can cause serious injuries or the death of a loved one. Federal and state regulations require that trucking companies carry more insurance policies than passenger cars. These policies may be worth up to 40 times that of an ordinary policy. However, trucking insurers will do everything they can to avoid paying accident victims. They often try to entice injured victims into giving a recorded statement or employ other techniques to limit their liability. It is important to work with an experienced Denver truck crash lawyer when filing an 18 wheeler accident claim.

The requirements for trucking insurance are complex and differ by state. The most popular type of coverage is primary liability, which covers damage to property caused by the truck in the event of an accident. It is also recommended to consider the liability and cargo insurance for non-trucking. The first protects the truck while it is hauling a load and is often included in the contract between the driver and their carrier. The latter, often referred to as "bobtail" coverage, shields both the driver and the truck during the interval between loads.

If you've been injured in an 18 wheeler accident, you must be aware that the minimum insurance limits for tractor-trailers is significantly lower than the limits required for passenger vehicles. You'll need to fight the insurance firm of the trucking company to get a fair settlement. A seasoned Memphis truck accident lawyer can determine all parties potentially responsible which include the truck driver as well as the trucking company and any dram shop that might have served the driver too much.