Accidents involving 18 wheels are often more complicated than regular car crashes and in this article we will introduce an 18 wheeler accident today in Texas.
In Texas, 18-wheel sights are a common sight. Accidents with 18 wheels often cause severe and psychological damage and it is not always easy to pinpoint who is wrong.
In 1899, auto manufacturer Alexander Winton wanted to distribute its cars to customers around the world without putting miles on them. His solution was to attach a cart to the stern of a modified truck. The invention became known as the first "half truck" in the Arab world and abroad.
Today, there are nearly 4 million trucks registered in the United States - most of them much larger than Alexander Winton. Half trucks today are generally 70-80 feet long, have 18 wheels, and weigh up to 80,000 pounds (40 tons).
Although 18-wheelers are classified as a large part of the country's economy, especially here in Texas, their sheer size and reach create the potential for serious traffic accidents causing damage.
Facing the facts: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 79% of large trucks that experienced fatal traffic accidents in 2017 weighed more than 36,000 lbs.
Moreover, 18-wheel accidents tend to be much more complex than accidents involving smaller vehicles.
Let's now look at 18 wheel accidents in the Lone Star State.
What is an 18 wheeler accident today, Texas?
An 18 wheel truck is a truck consisting of a tractor and a trailer, and it usually contains 18 wheels. Most people use terms like "18-wheeler", "big traig" and "sem-truck" to describe any large commercial truck.
Legally, large trucks are regulated on the basis of the weight of the vehicle and the type of cargo to be loaded. For this reason, it is generally not convenient for a truck to have 11 wheels or 16 wheels versus 18 wheels.
However, let's learn more about the 18-wheel average.
There are common questions about 18 wheels such as:
How big is an 18-wheel motor?
Not surprisingly, the 18-wheel motors are much larger than the motors in conventional compact cars. Most 18-wheel engines are seven times larger than the engines in the smaller cars. Large motors are important for providing torque.
Torque is: what helps an 18-wheeled wagon to pull large amounts of cargo and keep all 18 wheels spinning.
What is the fifth wheel?
The fifth wheel in an 18-wheel wagon refers to the round plate over the steering wheels that connects the trailer and truck to each other.
What is "Bobtailing"?
Bobtailing is the term for driving a truck without a trailer. Trucks do not handle well when latching and can be especially dangerous in wet or rainy weather
What is the turning radius of an 18-wheel cart?
An 18-wheel bike needs 55 feet of turning radius. This is the main reason for having large 18-wheel driver side mirrors, and also one of the reasons truck drivers are adept at backing up (most roads are only 24 feet wide).
How many miles per gallon does the average 18 wheels get?
Most fuel-efficient 18-wheel cars get only 8.9 miles per gallon.
Side skirts that prevent wind turbulence under the trailer and round covers placed over the trailer doors are two ways to improve fuel efficiency.
How much do we count on 18 wheels?
Recent estimates indicate that nearly 80% of all products in the U.S. are delivered with 18 wheels. What's more, 18 wheels drive roughly 175 billion miles a year.
Common types of 18 wheel accidents
Like the various large commercial vehicles, the size of the 18 wheels makes them vulnerable to several types of accidents, including:
Rollovers, Jackknife Accidents, Underride Accidents
Accidents of unsecured loads accidents of tire bursts
Facing the facts Big trucks need 50% more time to stop than the average small car.
Common causes of four-wheel drive crashes?
All kinds of factors can contribute to his 18 wheeler car accident.
Among these common factors:
- Driver fatigue.
- A driver error to drive a distractor.
- Unsecured goods.
- Insufficient training.
- Improper maintenance.
- Faulty part or device.
- Dangerous weather.
- Malfunction.
How is today's Texas 18 wheeler accident different from other types of accidents?
As with most car accidents, you must first prove liability in order to obtain compensation for any injuries or damages you suffered in the accident.
There are two main differences between 18-wheel car crashes and most car accidents:
Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to federal and state regulations that do not apply to other motorized vehicles. Many parties that may be responsible for an 18-wheel accident are not usually responsible for other auto accidents.
Let's delve a little deeper into these two distinctions.
First, truck drivers and trucking companies in Texas must comply with federal Vehicle Bus Safety Administration laws as well as state laws found in Title 7 of the Texas Transportation Act. These laws cover most things from the maximum load weight to the consecutive hours that a truck driver can drive completely without interruption.
If the truck driver or the transportation company violates any of these laws and results in an accident, it becomes much easier to prove liability for the person injured in the accident.
Second, the many people and entities that may be responsible for an 18-wheel accident depending on the circumstances, including:
truck driver. A truck driver might be at fault if his negligence was the cause of the accident - for example,
If a truck driver turns on a red light or is driving while intoxicated, a trucking company. A trucking company may be at fault (or partially at fault) if it violates a federal or state law (such as requiring a truck driver to drive longer than is permitted). It is also possible that the trucking company will be held responsible for the negligence of the truck driver according to the higher response theory of the freight company. One of the popular causes of truck accidents is overloading or wrong loading. In these cases, the shipping company may be at fault.
the factory. Truck accidents are sometimes caused by a malfunction in a part of the car. In these cases, the manufacturer of the defective product may be at fault.
In some cases, both you and the truck driver (or some other party associated with the truck) may be at fault for an accident. Texas follows a so-called modified comparative error rule. Under this rule, the degree to which you can obtain damages is limited to the degree of your error.
For example, if a judge or jury finds you wrong 40%, you can only recover 60% of damages. Most importantly, if you are more than 50% wrong, you cannot recover any damages.
Do you need a truck accident attorney?
Accidents involving 18 wheels tend to cause significant damage. As a result, insurance companies are forced to pay compensation simply without a fight.
An experienced Texas attorney can investigate the cause of the accident, identify all parties responsible, negotiate with the insurance company, and refer the case to trial if necessary.
You can also find the best motorcycle lawyer here.
You can view the best lawyer for 2020 from here.
Should trucks have black boxes?
The Federal Car Carrier Safety Authority requires all commercial trucks and 18-wheeled buggies to carry electronic recorders (ELDs). These devices record the number of hours a driver spends behind the wheel to ensure that the truck driver complies with laws that limit the number of hours a truck driver can drive in a row.
Many 18-wheel vehicles are also equipped with Event Data Loggers (EDRs). These devices are similar to the "black boxes" found in aircraft and record the events leading up to an accident, including speed, location and use of the brakes.
A lawyer can help you get access to these devices to see if the information might help your case.
You can view the best truck lawyer here.
You can also consult a lawyer for 18 wheels from here.
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