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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? A lot of car accidents happen and result in medical bills, physical damage and time lost from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved, the consequences could be more serious. 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 help. Weight Limits 18-wheelers can carry the maximum weight of 80,000 pounds including the weight and volume of cargo. This is a tight restriction that requires trucking companies to pack their vehicles as full as they can and may result in overloading. If a trucker exceeds this limit, they could be subject to fines that vary depending on the place of operation. You can tell when an 18-wheeler is going over the limit by observing their lights. 18 wheeler accident attorney evanston from their blinkers indicates that it's safe to merge the front of them, whereas high beams or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep an on the lookout for them when merging. It's important to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler, especially when you are passing. If you cut off the truck, it could cause a fatal crash. Car drivers are the cause of 72% of all crashes between vehicles and trucks. Axles Axles Semi-trucks are different from cars in that they require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. The typical semi-truck has four axles, which includes the drive and steer axles, while trailers typically have two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a standard passenger vehicle 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 as well as axle groups. Limits for states can be higher than federal limits, so it is crucial for truckers to know prior to traveling. The challenge of hauling freight isn't 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 accountable for the resulting injuries. If you've been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler an attorney for truck accidents can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the limit of load allowed, and if that negligence caused your injuries. Speed Limits Every driver knows that speeding is among the most common causes of truck accidents. This is particularly applicable to large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. For this reason, it is vital for truckers to follow the speed limits on every road they travel on. However truck drivers are frequently forced to make deliveries in a hurry, and they may not be able slow down enough to accommodate the conditions. This can lead drivers to drive dangerously, which can cause harm to other drivers. It is, however, possible to reduce the chance of these accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device that will automatically limit the speed of a truck to a safe speed and can be installed in various types of trucks. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is looking into an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers use these devices. The agency has released an additional notice of proposed rulemaking to gather feedback on the proposal. Previous proposals have focused on restricting truck speeds to 60, 65, or even speeds of 68 speeds. Insurance The majority of private vehicle owners purchase one policy to cover all their vehicles. The truckers do not own the trucks they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking company. Trucking companies need higher limits for liability insurance as commercial vehicles are more hazardous. Additionally, they may purchase bobtail and cargo coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo that semi-trucks are hauling. Bobtail insurance protects the truck once it has delivered its cargo. These policies can pay compensation to victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It's not always easy to get an accurate estimate of the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because trucks are expensive to maintain and repair particularly when they require major repairs. However certain trucking companies offer maintenance schedules which provide an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes rather than 18 and anti-lock breaks are currently standard on new trucks. They take about 40 percent longer to stop than cars. This is due in part to the large size of an 18-wheeler and its speed increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking. It's even used in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and thrash metal band BigRig's track “Roll on”. It is important to remember that these trucks aren't at home on the roads and must follow the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truck drivers to text while driving, as a single second of negligence could lead to fatal consequences.