knoxville 18 wheeler accident attorney Wheeler Legal Requirements

Every year, trucks, 18-wheelers, and tractor trailers are involved with a lot of accidents. They carry dangerous loads and their insurance requirements are higher than those for private vehicles.

Driver fatigue is a frequent reason for truck accidents. The law restricts the amount of time truck drivers are allowed to drive and requires that they keep accurate logs.

Weight limit

As Americans continue to shift their shopping habits away from traditional retail and towards online commerce the roads are becoming crowded with trucks from Amazon, FedEx, and other shipping companies. This means that many drivers struggle to keep pace with the speed and maneuverability of these huge vehicles. This is a problem that affects everyone, but it's particularly difficult for passenger cars and smaller trucks to maneuver around these massive vehicles.

There are laws that regulate the legal maximum for 18-wheelers. This applies to the truck as a whole and the cargo it carries. It is important to know the legal limits to avoid driving over and placing your life in danger.

The maximum gross vehicle mass for trucks is 80,000lbs. There are different weight limits 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 specific weight restrictions, for single-axle vehicles and axle groups.

State-by-state the penalties for exceeding the weight limit can range from fines of up to $16,000. In certain instances fines could be imposed by the driver's employer. Repeat offenders may also be subject to higher fines.

Lane restrictions

The majority of states have laws that regulate where trucks are allowed to drive on highways. For example, some states separate large trucks and ban them from driving in the left lane on multilane roadways. This law is designed to stop cars from following trucks that are too close, causing an accident.

In these instances the truck driver is left with no choice but to change lanes or 18 wheeler accident risk a collision. To ensure that trucks are able to easily pass slower vehicles they must be in the right lane. Truck drivers must also be able to observe other motor vehicles in the left side of the lane, looking for hazards or traffic devices which require them to make a turn.

If they do not adhere to these laws, they put themselves and other drivers at risk for serious accidents. If a motorist gets injured by a truck which has violated lane restriction laws, he or she may be entitled compensation.

Trucks have the most blind spots of any vehicle on the road, and need plenty of room to maneuver. Some drivers cut off trucks when they change lanes. This could cause them to jackknife. Other times drivers slow down to a level where trucks are unable to pass through them, which puts both parties at risk of an accident.

Bumper guards

Bumper guards are a fantastic option to shield your truck from damage, but you should verify the laws of your state prior to installing them. Some states prohibit them while others allow them only for vehicles parked. These devices are also beneficial to have when parking your vehicle in busy areas or in cities with plenty of parallel parking. These devices can prevent scratches and dents caused by taller drivers backing up into your vehicle or SUV.

They can also prevent collisions with tree branches. They resemble cowcatchers on freight trains, and are a common feature of off-road vehicles. They can be used to push debris and brush off and even to protect headlights.

There are a variety of different ways to install a bumper guard, including stick-on rubber strips and mat-style protectors. Stick-on is the easiest to use and can be removed within minutes without leaving a sticky residue. However, this style doesn't offer much protection and does not provide all the angles of your truck.

Certain companies make mat-style protectors that fold or folded for easy storage and transport. The Luv-Tap, a popular model made of a soft cotton material which can be adjusted to various vehicle sizes is a popular item. It also has bright silver reflectors to improve visibility in dim lighting. It has two straps that can be used to fix it to your vehicle's trunk and flip it up when needed.

Insurance

The consequences of truck accidents can be catastrophic and cause serious injuries or even the loss of a loved one. Federal and state regulations demand that trucking companies carry more insurance policies than those for passenger cars. These policies can cost 40 times more than the standard insurance. Trucking insurers, however, will do anything to avoid paying victim claims. They often try to entice injured victims into giving a recorded statement or use other tactics to minimize their liability. It is crucial to consult an attorney from a Denver truck crash lawyer in the event of filing an 18 wheeler accident (vimeo.com) claim.

The requirements for insurance for trucks are complex and differ by jurisdiction. The most popular coverage is primary liability. This is a protection for property damage that is caused by the truck in an accident. It is an excellent idea to have cargo insurance and non-trucking liability. The former protects the truck while it is transporting a load and is usually included in a trucker's contract with their carrier. The latter is sometimes referred to as "bobtail" insurance, and it protects the driver and the truck between the loads.

If you are injured in a tractor-trailer collision the minimum insurance limits required for trailers and tractors is considerably lower than those for passenger automobiles. This means that you will likely have to fight with the insurance company for the trucking business to get an equitable settlement. A Memphis truck accident attorney can determine who could be liable, including the trucking company, the trucker, and any dram stores that may have served the driver with too much alcohol.