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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Numerous car accidents occur and can result in physical and medical expenses and time lost from work. If an 18-wheeler is involved it can be even more dangerous. If this happens, the victims may file a claim for financial compensation. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist. Weight Limits In general 18 wheelers can carry up to 80,000 pounds which includes the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking companies to pack their vehicles with full capacity and can result in overloading. If a trucker exceeds this limit, they could be penalized, and the penalties vary by location. You can usually tell if an 18-wheeler is going over the limit by observing their lights. If their blinkers flash only once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also utilize their lights to communicate, so keep an alert for them when merging. It is crucial to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler especially when you are passing. Trucks need plenty of room to slow down and stop and if you cut them off this could result in a fatal crash. Car drivers are at fault for 72 percent of all collisions between trucks and cars. The number of Axles In contrast to cars, semi-trucks require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. The typical truck has four axles, including the drive and steer axles, whereas a trailer typically has two tandem axles. 18 wheeler accident claim henderson can make them much longer than a typical car and it's important to keep this in mind when driving alongside one of these vehicles. Axle weight limits are based on a variety of factors including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit posted by each state. The limits of the state may be higher than federal limits, which is why it is important for truckers to verify prior to traveling. Moving standard freight shipments is enough of a challenge, but adding more heft increases the risk of accidents. When truckers overload their trailer is in violation of the law and may be held accountable for the results of injuries. A truck accident lawyer will determine if the driver of an 18-wheeler was at fault and the reason for the accident if you were injured. Speed Limits Like any driver, speeding is among the most common causes of truck accidents. This is especially true for large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their weight and size. Therefore, it is important for truckers to obey the speed limits on each highway they travel. Truck drivers are often pressured to speed up delivery times and may not be able slow down enough to match the conditions. This can lead to risky driving, and can also be deadly for other motorists. It is, however, possible to minimize the risk of these accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device that will automatically restrict the speed of a truck to a safe speed that can be used in a variety of trucks. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is studying the possibility of a new rule that would require truckers use these devices. The agency has released an additional announcement of proposed rulemaking in order to solicit feedback about the proposal. In previous proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds should be limited to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their personal vehicles. Truckers, however, do not own the trucks that they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking firm. Because of the higher risk that come with commercial vehicles, trucking firms typically require greater liability insurance limits. In addition, they can purchase bobtail and cargo coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo a semi is hauling and bobtail insurance safeguards the truck once it has delivered its load. In the event of a collision, these policies can help to compensate victims or grieving family members for their losses. Maintenance It's difficult to come up with an accurate estimation of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. The maintenance costs for trucks are high and repair, especially when major repairs are needed. However some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules which provide an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks are typically equipped with ten brakes, not eighteen, and anti-lock brakes have become standard in newer vehicles. In general, trucks take around 40 percent longer than a standard car to stop. This is due in part to the large size of an 18-wheeler and its momentum add to the stopping distance. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It has even been used in country music, including the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by the thrash metal group BigRig. But it is crucial to keep in mind that these vehicles are not home on the road, and they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, for instance to use their mobile phones while driving. A split second of inattention can have negative consequences for a driver.