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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents occur and can result in medical bills, physical damage and time away from work. But, if an 18-wheeler is involved it can be a lot more dangerous. In the event of a crash, victims may file a claim for financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can assist. Weight Limits In general 18 wheelers can carry up to 80,000 pounds which includes the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking companies to fill their vehicles as full as they can and may result in overloading. If 18 wheeler accident lawsuit kent is in excess of this limit, they may face fines, which vary according to the location. You can tell when an 18 wheeler is over the limit by checking their lights. A single flash from their blinkers means that it's safe to merge in front of them, but flashes of high intensity or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Keep an eye out for truck drivers who are also using their lights as a way to communicate with each other. It is crucial to always leave a significant gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler, especially when passing. If you cut off the truck, it could result in an accident that is fatal. While truck drivers are often thought of as bullies on road 72% of collisions between cars and trucks are caused by car drivers. Number of Axles Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The typical semi-truck has four axles, including the drive and steer axles, whereas trailers usually have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical passenger vehicle, and it's important to be aware of this when driving along with one of these vehicles. Axle weight limits are based on various factors including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit posted by each state. State limits can be higher than federal limits, which is why it is crucial for truckers and drivers to be aware of before they travel. The challenge of hauling freight is enough to be difficult, but adding extra weight increases the risk of an accident. If the trucker overloads their trailer is in violation of the law and could be held responsible for resulting injuries. A truck accident lawyer can determine if the operator of an 18-wheeler was negligent and the reason for the accident if you were injured. Speed Limits Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, which every driver knows. This is especially the case for big trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Because of this, it is essential for truckers to obey the speed limits for every route they travel. Truck drivers are often pressured to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able to slow down enough to suit the conditions. This can result in dangerous driving, and could also be fatal for other motorists. Speed limiters can decrease the risk of accidents. This device automatically restricts the speed of a vehicle to a safe level. It can be put in on many different types. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is looking at the possibility of a new rule that will require truckers to utilize these devices. The agency has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the rule. Previous proposals have focused on limiting truck speeds to 60 or 65 mph, or even 68 mph. Insurance The majority of private owners buy a single policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the trucks they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Because of the higher risk that come with commercial vehicles, trucking companies typically require higher liability insurance limits. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the cargo a semi is hauling and bobtail insurance protects the truck once it has delivered its load. In the event of a crash the policies could help to compensate grieving victims or family members for their losses. Maintenance It can be difficult to estimate the maintenance costs of commercial vehicles. This is because commercial vehicles are very expensive to repair and maintain particularly when they require major repairs. Some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes instead 18 and anti-lock breaks are now standard on new trucks. In general, trucks require around 40 percent longer than a typical car to stop. This is due to the huge dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its acceleration increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking. It is mentioned in country music tracks, such as the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and thrash metal band BigRig's track “Roll on”. It is crucial to remember that these trucks aren't all times on the roads and must adhere to the same guidelines as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, for instance to use their mobile phones while driving. One second of inattention can have fatal consequences.