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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are many car accidents that cause physical and medical expenses, as well as time off from work. However, when an 18 wheeler is involved it can be a lot more serious. When this happens, victims can file a claim to receive financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can assist. Weight Limits 18-wheelers are restricted to carrying a maximum of 80,000 pounds including the weight and volume of cargo. This is a very tight limitation that requires trucking companies to pack their trucks to the maximum extent possible, which can result in overloaded. If a truck driver exceeds the limit, they could be subject to fines that vary depending on the location. You can generally tell if an 18-wheeler is going over the limit by watching their lights. If their blinkers flash just once, it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and flashes with multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also utilize their lights to communicate, so keep an on the lookout for them when merging. Always leave plenty of space between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when passing. Trucks require plenty of space to slow down and stop, and if you cut them off this could result in a deadly crash. Although truck drivers are often viewed as bullies on the road 72% of accidents between passenger cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars. The number of Axles Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The typical truck has four axles, which includes the steer and drive axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a typical passenger car and it's crucial to be aware of this when driving with one of these vehicles. Axle weight limits are based on a variety of factors that include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit set by each state. The state limit can often be higher than the Federal limit which is why it is crucial for truckers to understand the federal and state axle weight limits before traveling. 18 wheeler accident claim kenner of standard freight is enough of a challenge however, adding extra weight increases the chance of accidents. A trucker who overloaded his trailer is in violation of the law and could be held liable for any injuries resulting from. If you've suffered injury in an accident involving an 18 wheeler A lawyer for truck accidents can determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum load allowed, and if that negligence was the reason for your injuries. Speed Limits For any driver, speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents. This is especially applicable to large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. This is why it is crucial for truckers to adhere to the speed limits for every road they travel on. Truck drivers are often pressured to speed up delivery times and may not be able slow down enough to suit the conditions. This can cause drivers drive recklessly, which could be deadly for other drivers. Speed limiters reduce the risk of accidents. This device automatically reduces the speed of a vehicle to a safe level. It can be fitted on a variety of types. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is looking into the possibility of a new rule that will require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued an additional notification of the proposed rulemaking to gather feedback about the proposal. In previous proposals it was suggested that truck speeds be restricted to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private owners purchase a single insurance policy to cover their personal vehicles. Truckers, however, do not own the trucks that they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking company. Companies that transport goods require greater limits for liability insurance as commercial vehicles are more hazardous. Additionally, they may purchase cargo and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo coverage safeguards the cargo the semi is transporting while bobtail insurance protects the truck once it has delivered its load. These policies are able to compensate victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It is often difficult to estimate the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because trucks are expensive to maintain and repair, especially when they need major repairs. However, some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules which provide an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks are typically equipped with 10 brakes, not 18, and anti-lock brakes are now available in all newer trucks. Trucks take approximately 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due to the massive dimensions and the speed of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's even used in country music, for instance the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear” by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by the thrash metal group BigRig. It is important to remember that these trucks aren't at home on the roads and must obey the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truckers to text while driving because the smallest moment of distraction could have deadly consequences.