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18 Wheeler Legal Requirements Every year truck, 18-wheelers and tractor trailers are involved with a lot of accidents. They transport dangerous loads and have greater insurance requirements than vehicles owned by private individuals. Driver fatigue is the most frequent cause of truck accidents. 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 their shopping habits away from traditional in-person retail and toward online shopping, the road is becoming increasingly crowded with trucks from Amazon, FedEx, and other shipping companies. Many drivers are struggling to keep up with these large vehicles their speed and maneuverability. This is a problem for everyone, but it's particularly difficult for smaller trucks to maneuver around these massive vehicles. There are laws governing the maximum legal limit for 18-wheelers. This includes the truck and the cargo it transports. You should know the legal limitations to avoid driving over and putting your life 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. Federal Bridge Formula, for instance, limits the weight of an individual axle to 20000 pounds. Tandem axles, however, are limited to 34,000 lbs. In addition to these rules, states also have their own weight restrictions for single-axles and axle groups. The penalties for over-weight differ from state to state but could include fines as high as $16,000. In certain cases, the driver's employer may be responsible for the fines. In addition, repeat offenders may be subject to higher fines than first-time offenders. Lane restrictions In addition to weight restrictions, laws of the majority of states regulate the manner in which trucks can drive on highways. For 18 wheeler accident lawsuit surprise , some states single out large trucks and restrict them from the left lane on multilane highways. This law is designed to prevent vehicles from following trucks too closely and could cause 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 cars quickly they must be in the right-hand lane. Truck drivers should also be able to observe other motor vehicles in the left lane in order to look for dangers or traffic devices that require them to make the turn. Those who ignore these laws put themselves and other drivers at risk of serious accidents. If an individual is injured by a vehicle that has not complied with the lane restriction laws they may be entitled to compensation. Trucks require a lot of space to maneuver. They have the largest blind spots on the road. Some drivers cut off trucks when changing lanes. This can cause them in a jackknife. Sometimes, drivers slow down so much that the truck cannot pass them. This puts both parties in danger of an accident. Bumper guards Before installing bumper guards, consult your state's laws. Some states prohibit them, while others permit them on parked vehicles. These devices are also recommended for security when parking your vehicle in crowded areas or cities that have many parallel parking. These devices prevent scratches and dents caused by taller drivers backing into your truck or SUV. They can also be useful in preventing collisions with tree branches. Off-road vehicles usually have cowcatchers, which resemble those on freight trains. They remove brush and other debris, and they may even help with headlight protection. There are a variety of ways to install a bumper guard made of rubber. They include mat-style protectors as well as sticky rubber strips. The easiest to use is the stick-on design, which can be removed in just a few minutes without leaving any sticky residue. However, it doesn't provide much protection and does not provide all the angles of your truck. Some companies produce mat-style protectors that can be folded or put into a roll for easy storage and transport. The Luv-Tap is a popular model made of a soft cotton material which can be adjusted to different vehicle sizes It is a well-loved product. It also features bright silver reflectors for better visibility in poor lighting conditions. It comes with two straps that can be used to fix it to your vehicle's trunk and can be flipped up at any time. Insurance Accidents involving trucks can be devastating and result in serious injuries or even the death of a loved ones. State and federal regulations require that trucking companies purchase larger insurance policies than passenger vehicles. These policies could be worth up 40 times more than a standard policy. However, trucking insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying the victims of accidents. They usually trick injured people into giving a written statement, or use other tactics to limit their liability. It is important to work with a Denver truck crash attorney in the event of filing an 18 wheeler accident claim. The requirements for insurance on trucks are complicated and vary based on the jurisdiction in which they are located. The most common insurance is primary liability. It protects property from damage caused by the truck in an accident. It is also a good idea to have cargo insurance as well as non-trucking liability. The former protects the truck while it is hauling a load, and it is often included in a truck driver's contract with their carrier. The latter, sometimes referred to “bobtail” coverage, safeguards both the driver of the truck as well as the truck during the interval between loads. If you're injured 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 will likely have to fight with the insurance provider of the trucking company for a fair settlement. A skilled Memphis truck accident lawyer will determine the parties that could be liable, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and any dram shops that may have served the driver too much.