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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? A lot of car accidents happen and can result in physical injuries, medical bills and time lost from work. If an 18 wheeler is involved, it can be even more dangerous. In this case, victims are able to file a claim for financial compensation. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist. Weight Limits 18-wheelers are limited to carrying an maximum of 80,000 lbs including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a very strict limit that requires trucking companies to fill their vehicles with full capacity and can result in overloading. If a trucker exceeds the limit, they could be fined, which varies depending on the place of operation. If you look at the lights of an 18-wheeler, you'll be able to tell if they're exceeding the speed limit. If their blinkers flash once, it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and multiple flashes aren't. Be on the lookout for truck drivers who are also using their lights to communicate. It's important to always leave a large gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler particularly when you pass. If you cut off the truck, it could result in a fatal crash. Car drivers are at fault for 72 percent of crashes involving cars and trucks. Axles Axles Semi-trucks, like cars, require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The most common truck has four axles, including the steer and drive axles, while trailers typically have two tandem axles. It's important to note that these vehicles are much bigger than the average car for a passenger. The limits on axle weights are based on various factors including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit set by each state. The state limit can often be higher than the Federal limit and this is why it is essential for truckers to be aware of the federal and state limit on axle weight before they travel. The transportation of standard freight can be challenging enough but adding additional weight increases the chance of accidents. A trucker who overloads his truck is in violation of the law and may be held responsible for any injuries that result. If you've been injured as a result of an accident with an 18-wheeler, a truck accident lawyer can determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum load allowed, and if this negligence was the reason for your injuries. Speed Limits Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, as every driver knows. This is particularly applicable to large trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Therefore, it is crucial for truckers to obey the speed limits on every road they travel on. Truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver quickly and may not be able to slow down enough to meet the conditions. This can lead to risky driving, and could also be fatal to other motorists. Speed limiters can reduce the chance of accidents. This device automatically restricts the speed of a car to a level that is safe. It is able to be installed on many different types. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is studying the possibility of a new rule that will require truckers use these devices. The agency has issued a supplemental notification of proposed rulemaking to solicit feedback about the proposal. Previous proposals have discussed restricting truck speeds to 60 or 65, or even up to 68 mph. Insurance Most private vehicle owners buy a single policy to cover all their vehicles. 18 wheeler accident law firm flower mound , however, do not own the trucks they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking company. Trucking companies require higher limits of liability insurance since commercial vehicles are more dangerous. In addition, they can purchase bobtail and cargo insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance safeguards the cargo that a semi-truck is carrying. Bobtail insurance protects the truck after it has delivered its cargo. In the event of an accident these policies can be used to compensate grieving victims or family members for the losses they suffered. Maintenance It is often difficult to estimate the cost of maintenance for commercial vehicles. This is because the trucks are costly to repair and maintain particularly when they require major repairs. However some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that provide an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes instead of eighteen and anti-lock breaks are now standard on new trucks. In general, trucks take about 40% longer than a regular car to stop. This is because the large dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its acceleration increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking and is even mentioned in country music tracks like the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and the thrash metal group BigRig's song “Roll on”. But it is crucial to remember that these trucks are not at home on the road, and they must follow the same rules as other drivers. For example, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving as the split second of inattention could have fatal consequences.