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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are many car accidents that cause medical bills and physical damage as well as absence from work. However, when an 18-wheeler is involved it could be more dangerous. In this case, victims may file a claim for financial compensation. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist. Weight Limits 18-wheelers can carry an maximum of 80,000 lbs including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a very strict restriction that forces trucking companies to pack their vehicles as full as they can and may result in overloading. If a trucker exceeds the limit, they could be fined, which varies depending on the location. If you examine the lights of an 18-wheeler, you'll usually be able to determine if they are going over the speed limit. A single flash of their blinkers indicates that it's safe to merge in ahead of them, whereas flashes that are high or multiple mean that it's not. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep an alert for them when merging. It is important to leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler particularly when you pass. Trucks require plenty of room to slow down and stop, and if you cut them off and they are unable to stop, it could result in an unfathomable crash. Although truck drivers are commonly thought of as bullies on road 72% of crashes between cars and trucks are caused by car drivers. Axles Axles Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A typical semi-truck has four wheels, including the steer and drive axles. 18 wheeler accident settlement deerfield beach have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a standard passenger vehicle and it's crucial to keep this in mind when driving along with one of these vehicles. Axle weight limits 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. The state limit may be higher than the Federal limit which is why it is crucial for truckers to know the federal and state limits on axle weight prior to travel. Transporting normal freight shipments can be difficult enough and a heavier load increases the risk of accidents. A trucker who overloads his truck is in violation of the law and could be held accountable for any injuries that result. If you've suffered injuries in an accident with an 18 wheeler an attorney for truck accidents will help determine if the driver was carrying more than the limit of load allowed, and also if the negligence was the reason for your injury. Speed Limits Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, as every driver knows. This is particularly relevant for big trucks due to their size, weight and size. Truckers must therefore observe the speed limits on every road they travel. Truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able to slow down enough to meet the conditions. This can cause drivers to take risks when driving, which could cause harm to other drivers. Speed limiters can lower the chance of accidents. This device automatically reduces the speed of a car to a safe limit. It can be installed on many different types. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is examining an updated rule that will require truckers to utilize these devices. The agency has issued a revised notice of proposed rulemaking in order to gather feedback on the proposed rule. Previous proposals have focused on limiting truck speeds to 60 or 65 mph, or even the speed limit of 68 mph. Insurance The majority of private vehicle owners purchase one insurance policy that covers all their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the trucks that they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Because of the higher risk of commercial vehicles, trucking firms typically require greater liability insurance limits. In addition, they can purchase bobtail and cargo insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the cargo that a semi transports, while bobtail insurance covers the truck after it has delivered its load. In the event of a crash the policies could help to compensate victims or grieving family members for their losses. Maintenance It's difficult to come up with an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. Trucks are expensive to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are required. Some trucking companies have maintenance schedules that estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle. Trucks are typically equipped with only ten brakes, not 18, and anti-lock brakes are now available in all newer trucks. Trucks take around 40% longer to stop than a car. This is due to the large size and acceleration of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's even been used in country music, for instance the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by the thrash metal group BigRig. It is important to remember that these trucks aren't at home on the roads and must obey the same guidelines as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, as an example, to text while driving. A split second of inattention can have negative consequences for a driver.