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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are a lot of car accidents that cause physical and medical costs, as well as time away from work. If an 18-wheeler is involved the consequences could be more severe. When this happens, victims can file a claim for financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can assist. Weight Limits 18-wheelers are restricted to carrying up to 80,000 pounds including the weight and volume of cargo. This is a tight limitation that requires trucking companies to pack their vehicles as full as they can and could result in overloading. Drivers who exceed the limit could be fined. The fines will vary depending on where they reside. You can tell when an 18 wheeler is going over the limit by checking their lights. If their blinkers flash one time it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and flashes with multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep an alert for them when merging. It is crucial to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler, especially when passing. Trucks need plenty of room to slow down and stop when they stop, and if you cut them off, it could lead to a deadly crash. Car drivers are at fault for 72 percent of all collisions between cars and trucks. Axles Axles As opposed to cars, semi-trucks have multiple axles to rotate their wheels. The most common truck has four axles, including the steer and drive axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. It's important to remember that these vehicles are much larger than the typical car for a passenger. The weight limits for axles are determined by a variety of factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit posted by each state. Limits for states can be higher than federal limits, and it is essential for truckers to verify before they travel. The transportation of standard freight can be challenging enough however, adding extra weight increases the risk of accidents. A trucker who overloads his trailer is in violation of law and could be held liable for any injuries that result. A truck accident lawyer can determine if the driver of an 18-wheeler was negligent and the cause of the accident in case you were injured. Speed Limits For any driver, speeding is one of the leading causes of truck accidents. This is especially relevant for big trucks due to their weight, size and size. Because of this, it is important for truckers to adhere to the speed limits for every route they travel. Truck drivers are often pressured to deliver quickly and may not be able to slow down enough to meet the conditions. This can cause drivers drive dangerously, which can be deadly for other drivers. Speed limiters can decrease the risk of accidents. This device is able to limit the speed of a vehicle to a safe speed. It can be put in on many different types. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently evaluating an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers use these devices. The agency has released an additional notification of the proposed rulemaking in order to gather feedback on the proposal. In earlier proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds be restricted to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private car owners buy a single insurance policy to protect their personal vehicles. Truckers however do not own the trucks they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Companies that transport goods require greater limits of liability insurance because commercial vehicles are more risky. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurances for their vehicles. Cargo insurance safeguards the cargo that semi-trucks transport. Bobtail insurance protects the truck after it has delivered its load. These policies can help grieving families and victims members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It is often difficult to estimate the maintenance costs of commercial vehicles. They are costly to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are needed. However certain trucking companies offer maintenance schedules which provide an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks come with ten brakes instead of 18 and anti-lock breaks are nowadays standard on all new trucks. The trucks take about 40% longer to stop than a car. This is due in part to the large dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its acceleration add to the stopping distance. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking. It's featured in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and the thrash metal group BigRig's track “Roll on”. 18 wheeler accident attorney el cajon is crucial to remember that these trucks aren't home on the roads and must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving since a single second of negligence could lead to fatal consequences.