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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are many accidents in the car that result in physical and medical bills in addition to absence from work. When an 18-wheeler vehicle is involved, the consequences could be more serious. Victims may make a claim and receive financial compensation when this occurs. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can be of assistance. Weight Limits In general 18 wheelers can carry up to 80,000lbs, including the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking companies to fill their vehicles to capacity and could lead to overloaded. Drivers who exceed this limit may be penalized. The penalties differ based on where they reside. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit allen is easy to 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 are not. Truck drivers also use their lights to communicate, so keep an watch for them when merging. It is crucial to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler especially when passing. If you cut off the truck, it could cause fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are often considered to be bullies on the road 72% of accidents between passenger cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars. Number of Axles Semi-trucks, unlike cars require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The most common truck has four axles, which includes the drive and steer axles, while trailers typically have two tandem axles. It's important to remember that these vehicles are longer than the average car for a passenger. The weight limits of axles are determined by a variety of factors which include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limits set by each state. The state limit could be higher than the Federal limit and this is why it is essential for truckers and drivers to know the federal and state axle weight limits before traveling. The process of transporting freight isn't difficult enough and adding additional weight increases the likelihood of an accident. 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 with an 18-wheeler, a lawyer for truck accidents can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and if that negligence was the cause of your injuries. Speed Limits For any driver, speeding is one of the most frequent causes of truck accidents. This is particularly relevant for large trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Truckers should therefore adhere to the speed limits on every road they travel on. However, truck drivers are often forced to make deliveries in a hurry and might not be able to slow down enough for the conditions. This could cause drivers to drive dangerously, which can be fatal for other drivers. Fortunately, it is possible to lower the chance of these accidents by using speed limiters. This device automatically reduces the speed of a car to a safe limit. It is able to be installed on various types of vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is currently evaluating an amendment to the rulebook that will require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released an additional announcement of proposed rulemaking to gather feedback on the proposed rule. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds should be restricted to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private vehicle owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their personal vehicles. Truckers however don't own the truck they drive. Instead, they rent their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies require higher limits of liability insurance due to the fact that commercial vehicles are more dangerous. They can also purchase cargo insurance and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance is a way to protect the cargo that a semi-truck is hauling. Bobtail insurance covers the truck once it has delivered its load. In the event of a crash these policies can be used to compensate grieving family members for the losses they suffered. Maintenance It's difficult to come up with an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because trucks are costly to maintain and repair, especially when they need major repairs. However some trucking firms offer maintenance schedules that give an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks typically have 10 brakes, not 18 and anti-lock brakes are now standard in new trucks. They take about 40 percent longer to stop than cars. This is due to the huge size of an 18-wheeler and its acceleration increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking. It's even used in country music songs, such as the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and the thrash metal group BigRig's song “Roll on”. It is crucial to keep in mind that these trucks aren't at driving on the streets and must obey the same guidelines as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, for example, to text while driving. A moment of inattention could have negative consequences for a driver.