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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Numerous car accidents occur and can result in physical and medical expenses and time away from work. However, when an 18 wheeler is involved it can be much more grave. In this case, victims may file a claim for financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help. Weight Limits In general, 18 wheelers can only carry 80,000 pounds including the weight of cargo. This is a very strict restriction that requires trucking companies to fill their vehicles as full as they can and may result in overloaded. If a trucker exceeds the limit, they could face fines, which vary depending on the place of operation. It is easy to tell if an 18 wheeler is going over the limit by watching their lights. A single flash from their blinkers indicates that it's safe to merge the front of them, whereas flashes with multiple lights indicate that it's not. Truck drivers also use their lights to communicate, so keep an alert for them when merging. Always leave plenty of space between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when passing. If you cut off the truck, it could cause a fatal crash. Car drivers are at fault for 72 percent of all collisions between trucks and cars. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit los angeles of Axles In contrast to cars, semi-trucks require multiple axles to turn the wheels. The typical semi-truck has four axles, including the drive and steer axles, whereas a trailer typically has two tandem axles. It's important to remember that these vehicles are much longer than a typical passenger car. The weight limits for axles are based on a variety of factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit set by each state. State limits can be higher than federal limits, therefore it is crucial for truckers to verify both before traveling. Moving standard freight shipments isn't difficult enough but adding additional weight increases the risk of accidents. If truckers overload their trailer they are in breach of the law and can be held responsible for resultant injuries. If you've suffered injury in an accident involving an 18 wheeler A lawyer for truck accidents will help determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and also if the negligence caused the injury. Speed Limits Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, as any driver is aware. This is particularly relevant for large trucks due to their weight, size and weight. Truckers must therefore observe speed limits on all roads they travel on. Truck drivers are often pressured to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able slow down enough to meet the conditions. This can cause drivers drive recklessly, which could cause harm to other drivers. It is, however, possible to minimize the chance of accidents by using speed limiters. This device is able to limit the speed of a vehicle to a level that is safe. It can be fitted on various types of vehicles. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently evaluating a new rule which would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released a supplemental notification of proposed rulemaking in order to collect feedback on the proposed rule. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds be limited to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their vehicles. Truckers, on the other hand do not own the trucks they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Trucking companies need higher limits of liability insurance due to the fact that commercial vehicles are more dangerous. In addition, they can purchase bobtail and cargo coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the freight that a semi-truck is hauling. Bobtail insurance protects the truck after it has delivered its load. These policies will pay compensation to victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It's difficult to come up with an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. It is expensive to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. However some trucking firms offer maintenance schedules that provide an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes rather than 18 and anti-lock breaks are now standard on new trucks. Trucks take approximately 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 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 crucial to remember that these trucks aren't their own on the road and must adhere to the same guidelines as other drivers. For instance, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving as a single second of negligence could have deadly consequences.