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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are numerous accidents involving cars that cause physical and medical costs, as well as time off from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved the consequences can be more severe. If this happens, the victims are able to file a claim for financial compensation. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can be of assistance. Weight Limits 18-wheelers are limited to carrying the maximum weight 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 as full as they can and may result in overloading. If a truck driver goes over this limit, they may be subject to fines that vary depending on the place of operation. You can generally tell if an 18 wheeler is over the limit by watching their lights. A single flash of their blinkers indicates that it's safe to merge the front of them, whereas flashes with multiple lights mean that it's not. Be on the lookout for truck drivers who are also using their lights to communicate. Always leave plenty of space between your vehicle, and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you're passing. Trucks require plenty room to slow down and stop, and if you cut them off this could result in fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are commonly viewed as bullies on the road 72% of accidents between trucks and passenger cars result from car drivers. Axles Axles Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles 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 car and it's essential to keep this in mind when driving along with one of these vehicles. The limits on axle weights are based on a variety of factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits set by each state for single axles as well as axle groups. State limits can be higher than federal limits, and it is important for truckers to know before they travel. The task of transporting cargo is enough to be difficult and adding additional weight can increase the risk of an accident. If truckers overload their trailer, they are in violation of the law and can be held accountable for resulting injuries. A truck accident lawyer can determine if the driver of an 18-wheeler was at fault and the reason for the accident if you were injured. Speed Limits Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, as any driver knows. This is particularly relevant for large trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their weight and size. For this reason, it is essential for truckers to obey the speed limits of every route they travel. However truck drivers are frequently pressured to make quick deliveries and may not be able slow down enough to accommodate the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and it could cause harm to other motorists. 18 wheeler accident attorney mountain view is, however, possible to reduce the chance of these accidents by using speed limiters. This is a gadget that will automatically limit the speed of a vehicle to a safe limit that can be installed in many different types of trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is examining an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers to utilize these devices. The agency has issued a second notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the proposal. Previous proposals have focused on limit truck speeds to 60 to 65 or up to 68 mph. Insurance The majority of private car owners purchase one policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the trucks they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Because of the higher risk associated with commercial vehicles, trucking companies typically require higher liability insurance limits. Additionally, they may purchase bobtail and cargo coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance is a way to protect the cargo that semi-trucks are hauling. Bobtail insurance protects the truck after it has delivered its cargo. In the event of a crash such policies can assist to compensate victims or grieving family members for their losses. Maintenance It's often difficult to get an accurate estimation of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. Trucks are expensive to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are required. Some companies that operate in the field of trucking offer maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks typically have ten brakes, not eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are standard in newer trucks. In general, trucks take about 40% longer than a regular car to stop. This is due to the huge size and acceleration of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's been used in country music, like the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear” by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by the thrash metal group BigRig. But it is crucial to remember that these trucks are not home on the road, and they are subject to the same rules as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, as an example to use their phones while driving. One second of negligence could result in disastrous consequences.