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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents occur and cause medical bills, physical damage and time away from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved the consequences can be more severe. In this case, victims can file a claim for financial compensation. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can be of assistance. Weight Limits In general, 18 wheelers can only carry 80,000 pounds in total, not including the weight of cargo. This is a very tight restriction that forces trucking companies to pack their vehicles as full as possible and could result in overloading. If a truck driver exceeds this limit, they may be subject to fines that vary by location. You can tell when an 18-wheeler is going over the limit by watching their lights. A single flash of their blinkers means that it's safe to merge ahead of them, whereas high beams or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Truck drivers also utilize their lights to communicate, so keep an an eye out for them when merging. Always leave plenty of space between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is particularly important when you are passing. Trucks require plenty of room to slow down and stop when they stop, and if you cut them off it could result in a fatal crash. Although 18 wheeler accident attorney westminster are commonly considered to be bullies on the road 72% of collisions between trucks and passenger cars are caused by drivers of cars. Number of Axles Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles to rotate the wheels. The most common truck has four axles, including the steer and drive axles, whereas a trailer typically has two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical passenger car, and it's important to be aware of this when driving alongside one of these vehicles. Limits on axle weights are based on a number of factors, such as the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits set by each state for single axles and axle groups. State limits may be higher than federal limits, which is why it is crucial for truckers to check both before traveling. The task of transporting freight is difficult enough but adding weight increases the likelihood of an accident. If a trucker overloads their trailer is in violation of the law and may be held liable for the consequences of the injuries. If you've suffered injury in an accident that involved an 18 wheeler, a truck accident lawyer can determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum amount allowed, and also if the negligence was the reason for the injury. Speed Limits As any driver knows, speeding is among the main causes of truck accidents. This is especially true for big trucks due to their weight, size and size. Therefore, truckers must adhere to speed limits on all roads they travel on. However truck drivers are frequently under pressure to deliver quick deliveries and might not be able to slow down enough to meet the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and it could cause harm to other motorists. Speed limiters can lower the chance of accidents. This device is able to limit the speed of a vehicle to a level that is safe. It can be fitted on a variety of types. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is examining a new rule which would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued a second notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the proposal. The previous proposals have talked about restricting truck speeds to 60, 65, or even the speed limit of 68 speed. Insurance The majority of private car owners buy an insurance policy that will cover their personal vehicles. Truckers on the other hand do not own the trucks that they drive. Instead, they rent their 18-wheelers from a company that transports trucks. Companies that transport goods require greater limits for liability insurance as commercial vehicles are more hazardous. Additionally, they may purchase bobtail and cargo insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance safeguards the cargo that a semi-truck is hauling. Bobtail insurance protects the truck after it has delivered its cargo. These policies may pay compensation to victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It is often difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. The maintenance costs for trucks are high and repair, especially when major repairs are required. However certain trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that provide an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks come with ten brakes instead of eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are nowadays standard on all new trucks. Trucks take approximately 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due to the massive dimensions and the speed of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking. It's even mentioned in country music tracks like the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and thrash metal band BigRig's song “Roll on”. It is crucial to remember that these trucks aren't at their own on the road and must follow the same guidelines as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, for example to use their phones while driving. A moment of inattention could have negative consequences for a driver.