18 Wheeler Legal Requirements Trucks, 18 wheelers, and tractor-trailers have been involved in numerous wrecks each year 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 limits how long truck drivers can be on the road and requires them to keep precise records of their work hours Weight limit As Americans continue to move away from traditional retail in-person to online commerce the road is becoming more packed with trucks of Amazon, FedEx and other shipping companies Many drivers struggle to keep up with these large vehicles their speed and maneuverability This is a problem for all drivers, but smaller vehicles and passenger cars are having a difficult time maneuvering around these massive vehicles There are laws that regulate the maximum legal limit for 18-wheelers This applies to both the truck itself and the cargo it carries It is important to know the legal limits to ensure you can avoid driving over them and put yourself in danger https//vimeocom/709547259 for trucks is 80,000 lbs However, there are several different weight limits for axle groups as well as single axles Federal Bridge Formula, for example, restricts the weight of an individual axle to 20000 pounds Tandem axles, however, are limited to 34,000 pounds States also have their own weight restrictions, for single-axle vehicles as well as axle groups The penalties for exceeding the weight limit vary from state to state and can include fines of up to 16,000 In some instances, fines may also be issued by the driver's company In the event of repeat offenders, they could be subject to higher fines than first-time offenders Lane restrictions In addition to weight restrictions, laws of the majority of states regulate where trucks may drive on highways Some states, for example, prohibit large trucks from driving in the left lane of the multilane highways This law is designed to prevent cars from following trucks close to the road and causing accidents In such situations the truck driver is left with no choice but to change lanes or risk a collision In order for trucks to be capable of passing slower cars quickly they must be in the right lane Truck drivers should also be able to observe other motor vehicles in the left lane in order to look for traffic hazards or other dangers that require them to take turns 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 vehicle that has violated the laws governing lane restrictions, they could be entitled to compensation Trucks have some of the largest blind spots of any vehicle on the road, and need plenty of room to maneuver In some instances, drivers in smaller vehicles block trucks when changing lanes, and this can cause them to hit each other in a jackknife Sometimes drivers slow down that trucks are unable to move past them This puts both drivers at risk of a crash Bumper guards Bumper guards are a great option to shield your truck from damage, but you should check with your state laws before installing them Some states prohibit them, while others allow them only for vehicles that are parked These devices can be used to safeguard your vehicle when you park in areas with a lot of traffic or in cities where parallel parking is common These devices prevent scratches and scratches caused by larger drivers backing up onto your truck or SUV They can also avoid collisions with trees' branches Off-road vehicles are often equipped with cowcatchers that look similar to the ones on freight trains They can be used to shove debris and brush away and even shield headlights There are several ways to install a rubber bumper These include mat-style protectors and sticks-on rubber strips The stick-on type is the easiest to install, as it can be removed in a matter of minutes without leaving sticky residue The stick-on style doesn't provide the most protection, and doesn't cover all corners of your vehicle Some companies make mat-style protectors that can be rolled up and folded for easy transport and storage The LuvTap is a favored model that is made of gentle padded cotton material and can be adjusted to suit different sizes of vehicles It also comes with reflective silver lights that enhance visibility under poor lighting conditions It comes with two straps that can be used to attach it to the trunk of your car and can be flipped up at any time Insurance Truck accidents can cause serious injuries or even death This is why state and federal regulations require trucking companies to have higher insurance premiums than normal passenger cars These policies can cost up to 40 times more than a standard policy However, trucking insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying the victims of accidents They will often trick injured people into signing an official statement or employ other techniques to limit their liability If you are filing a claim after an 18-wheeler wreck it is crucial to speak with a Denver truck accident lawyer The requirements for trucking insurance are a bit complicated and differ depending on the jurisdiction The most common type of coverage is primary liability, which covers damages to property that the truck causes in the event of an accident It is recommended to have cargo insurance, as well as non-trucking liability The first covers the truck as it carries a load and is often included in the contract between the driver and their carrier The latter, sometimes referred to "bobtail" coverage, protects both the driver and the truck in between loads If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, you should know that the insurance limits for tractor-trailers are much lower than the ones required for passenger vehicles You will have to fight the insurance firm of the trucking company to get a fair settlement A Memphis truck accident lawyer can identify all parties who could be responsible, including the trucking company, the driver, and any dram stores which may have provided the driver with excessive alcohol