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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are numerous car accidents that cause medical bills and physical damage and the need to take time off from work. When an 18-wheeler vehicle is involved, the consequences can be far more serious. If this happens, the victims may file a claim for financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can assist. Weight Limits In general, 18 wheelers can only transport up to 80,000 lbs which includes the weight of cargo. This is a strict limitation that requires trucking companies to fill their vehicles as full as they can and can lead to overloaded. Drivers who exceed this limit can be fined, and the fines vary depending the place they live. You can tell when an 18-wheeler is going over the limit by checking their lights. A single flash from their blinkers signifies that it's safe to merge front of them, but flashes of high intensity or multiple flashes indicate that it's not. Be on the lookout for truck drivers who use their lights to communicate with each other. It is essential to leave a significant gap between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler, especially when passing. Trucks require plenty room to slow down and stop when they stop, and if you cut them off and they are unable to stop, it could result in a fatal crash. Car drivers are at fault for 72 percent of all crashes between vehicles and trucks. Number of Axles Semi-trucks, unlike cars require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A typical semi-truck has four wheels, which includes the steer and drive axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. It's important to remember that these vehicles are longer than the average passenger car. The limits on axle weights are determined by a variety of factors that include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit set by each state. State limits can be higher than federal limits, which is why it is important for truckers to verify both before traveling. Hauling standard freight shipments can be difficult enough but adding additional weight increases the risk of accidents. If a trucker overloads their trailer they are in breach of the law and could be held responsible for results of injuries. A lawyer for truck accidents can determine whether the driver of an 18-wheeler was negligent and was the cause of the accident in case you were injured. Speed Limits Like any driver, speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents. This is particularly applicable to large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their weight and size. This is why it is important for truckers to observe the speed limits of every route they travel. However truck drivers are usually under pressure to deliver quick deliveries and might not be able to slow down enough to cope with the conditions. This can result in dangerous driving, and could also be fatal to other motorists. Speed limiters can lower the risk of accidents. This is a device that will automatically limit the speed of a vehicle to a safe level and is installed in various types of trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is examining a new rule that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released a new notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the idea. In previous proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds be limited to 60 or 65 miles per hour. 18 wheeler accident claim new bedford of private car owners purchase one insurance policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers, on the other hand don't own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies require greater limits for liability insurance as commercial vehicles are more risky. They can also purchase cargo insurance and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the cargo the semi is transporting and bobtail insurance protects the truck after it has delivered its load. In the event of a collision the policies could help to compensate grieving family members for the losses they suffered. Maintenance It is often difficult to obtain an accurate estimation of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because commercial vehicles are costly to repair and maintain, especially when they need major repairs. However some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that give an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes instead of 18 and anti-lock break breaks are now standard on new trucks. They take about 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due in part to the large dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its speed increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's even been used in country music, such as the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by the thrash metal group BigRig. However, it's important to keep in mind that these trucks are not at home on the road and that they are subject to the same rules as other drivers. For example, it is illegal for truckers to text while driving since the smallest moment of distraction could lead to fatal consequences.