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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents occur and result in physical injury, medical bills and time lost from work. When an 18 wheeler is involved, it can be even more grave. When this happens, victims can file a claim to receive financial compensation. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist. Weight Limits In general 18 wheelers are able to carry 80,000 pounds, including the weight of cargo. This is a very strict limit that requires trucking firms to load their vehicles as full as possible and can lead to overloaded. If a truck driver is in excess of this limit, they may be subject to fines that vary depending on the location. It is easy to tell if an 18 wheeler is over the limit by watching their lights. If their blinkers flash only once it is safe to merge ahead of them. 18 wheeler accident settlement akron or multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also utilize their lights to communicate, so keep an an eye out for them when merging. Always leave a good distance between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you're driving by. Trucks need plenty of room to slow down and stop and if you cut them off, it could lead to a fatal crash. While truck drivers are often thought of as bullies on road 72% of accidents between cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars. Number of Axles As opposed to cars, semi-trucks have multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The most common truck has four axles, which includes the drive and steer axles, while trailers usually have two tandem axles. It's important to note that these vehicles are much larger than the typical passenger car. The limits on axle weights are based on a variety of factors, such as the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits posted by each state for single axles and axle groups. The limit for each state can be higher than the Federal limit that is why it is vital for truckers to know the state and federal axle weight limits prior to traveling. The process of transporting freight is enough to be difficult and adding additional weight can increase the risk of an accident. A trucker who overloaded his trailer is in violation of the law and could be held accountable for any injuries resulting from. If you've been injured in an accident with an 18 wheeler, a truck accident lawyer can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and also if the negligence was the reason for your injuries. Speed Limits Every driver knows that speeding is among the most frequent causes of truck accidents. This is particularly true for big trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Truckers should therefore adhere to speed limits on all roads they travel on. However truck drivers are usually required to deliver their goods quickly, and they might not be able to slow down enough to accommodate the conditions. This can cause drivers drive recklessly, which could cause harm to other drivers. It is possible to minimize the chance of these accidents by using speed limiters. This device automatically reduces the speed of a car to a level that is safe. It is able to be installed on many different types. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is currently evaluating an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers to utilize these devices. The agency has issued a revised notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the proposal. The previous proposals have talked about the limitation of truck speeds to 60 or 65, 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 vehicles they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Companies that transport goods require greater limits of liability insurance due to the fact that commercial vehicles are more risky. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurances for their vehicles. Cargo insurance safeguards the cargo that a semi-truck is carrying. Bobtail insurance protects the truck after it has delivered its cargo. These policies are able to provide compensation to grieving victims and family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It is often difficult to estimate the costs of maintenance for commercial vehicles. They are costly to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. However some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules that give an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. The majority of trucks have ten brakes, not eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are now common in newer vehicles. Trucks take around 40% longer to stop than a car. This is due to the huge size and momentum of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's even used in country music, including the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear” by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by thrash metal group BigRig. It is nevertheless important to remember that these vehicles are not home on the road, and that they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truckers to text while driving because a single second of negligence could have deadly consequences.