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18 Wheeler Legal Requirements Every year truck, 18-wheelers and tractor trailers are involved in many accidents. They carry dangerous loads and have higher insurance requirements than private cars. Driver fatigue is a typical cause of truck accidents. The law restricts the amount of time truck drivers are allowed to drive and requires that they keep exact logs. Weight limit As Americans are continuing to shift away from traditional retail in-person and towards online shopping, the roads are becoming more filled with trucks from Amazon, FedEx and other shipping companies. Many drivers are struggling to keep up with these massive vehicles their speed and maneuverability. It's a problem for all drivers, but smaller cars and passenger vehicles are having a tough time maneuvering around these huge vehicles. Fortunately there are laws in place to define the maximum legal weight limit for 18 wheelers. This applies to the truck as a whole and the cargo it carries. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit corona should know the legal restrictions to avoid driving over and risking your life. The maximum gross vehicle weight for trucks is 80,000 pounds. However, there are different weight limits for axle groups and single axles. For example, the Federal Bridge Formula sets a single-axle limit of 20,000 pounds, while axles spaced more than 40 inches but less than 96 inches apart (tandem axles) are limited to 34,000 pounds. In addition to these regulations, states also have their own specific weight restrictions for single-axles and axle groups. State-by-state, penalties for a violation of the weight limit may range from fines up to $16,000. In some cases the driver's employer could be responsible for these fines as well. In the event of repeat offenders, they could face higher fines than first-time offenders. Lane restrictions Most states have laws which regulate the location of trucks on highways. For instance, some states exclude large trucks and ban them from using the left lane on multilane roadways. This law is designed to prevent cars from following trucks too close and causing an accident. In such situations the truck driver has no choice but to switch lanes or risk a collision. To be able to pass slower vehicles quickly, they must be in the right lane. Truck drivers must also be able observe other motor vehicles in the left lane to look for dangers or traffic devices that require them to make an turn. Ignoring these laws puts themselves and other motorists at risk of serious accidents. If a motorist has been injured by a truck that has violated lane restriction laws they may be entitled compensation. Trucks have some of the largest blind spots of any vehicle on the road, and require plenty of space to move. In some instances, drivers in smaller cars block trucks when changing lanes, and this could cause them to hit each other in a jackknife. Sometimes drivers slow down so that trucks are unable to pass them. This puts both parties in danger of an accident. Bumper guards Before installing bumper guards, consult your state's laws. Some states don't allow bumper guards, while others only allow them on cars parked. These devices are worth investing in for protection when parking your vehicle in crowded areas or in cities with lots of parallel parking. They prevent scrapes and dents that often result from taller drivers backing into your car or SUV. They can also be useful in stopping collisions with tree branches. Off-road vehicles often have these cowcatchers, which resemble those found on freight trains. They can be used to shove debris and brush off and even to protect headlights. There are a number of different ways to install a bumper guard, including mat-style protectors. The most convenient is the stick-on style, which can be removed in just minutes, without leaving any sticky residue. However, it does not provide much protection and does not provide all the angles of your truck. Certain companies manufacture mat-style protectors that can be rolled up and folded for easy transport and storage. The LuvTap, a familar model made of a soft cotton material that can be adjusted to different vehicle sizes and is a sought-after product. It also features bright silver reflectors to improve visibility in poor lighting conditions. It comes with two straps that can be used to secure it to the trunk of your car and then flipped back up when needed. Insurance Accidents involving trucks can be devastating and cause serious injuries or even the death of a loved one. This is the reason state and federal regulations oblige trucking companies to carry much larger insurance policies than regular passenger cars. These policies can be worth 40 times as much as a standard policy. However, trucking insurers will do everything to avoid paying victims of accidents. They frequently try to trick injured people into giving a written statement or use other tactics to reduce their liability. It is crucial to consult with an attorney from a Denver truck crash attorney when submitting an 18 wheeler accident claim. The requirements for trucking insurance are complicated and vary based on the jurisdiction in which it is located. The most frequently used type of coverage is the primary liability. It covers property damage caused by the truck in an accident. You should also consider liability insurance and cargo insurance for non-trucking purposes. The first covers the truck when it transports loads and is typically included in the contract between the driver and their transporter. The latter, also referred to “bobtail” protection, covers both the driver of the truck as well as the truck during the interval between loads. If you are injured in a tractor-trailer collision the insurance limits required for trailers and tractors is much lower than those for passenger cars. You will have to fight the insurance company of the trucking firm for an equitable settlement. A knowledgeable Memphis truck accident lawyer can determine all parties potentially responsible, including the truck driver and the trucking firm, and any dram shops that may have over-served the driver.