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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents occur and result in physical injuries, medical bills and time away from work. If an 18-wheeler is involved it could be more serious. Victims can submit a claim for financial compensation if this happens. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can be of assistance. Weight Limits 18-wheelers can carry the maximum weight of 80,000 pounds including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that requires trucking companies to fill their vehicles with full capacity and could lead to overloaded. If a truck driver goes over this limit, they could be penalized, and the penalties vary by location. You can usually tell if an 18-wheeler is over the limit by observing their lights. If their blinkers flash once 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 on the lookout for them when merging. Always leave a good distance between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler. This is crucial when you're passing. Trucks require plenty of space 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 seen as bullies on the road 72% of collisions between trucks and passenger cars are caused by car drivers. Axles Axles Semi-trucks, unlike cars require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A semi-truck typically has four wheels, including the drive and steer axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. It's important to keep in mind that these vehicles are longer than a typical automobile. The limits on axle weights are based on a variety of factors that include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit posted by each state. The state limit may be higher than the Federal limit and this is why it is essential for truckers to be aware of the state and federal limit on axle weight before they travel. The challenge of hauling freight is difficult enough however, adding more weight increases the chance of an accident. A trucker who overloads his truck is in violation of the law and could be held responsible for any injuries that result. A truck accident lawyer will determine if the driver of an 18-wheeler was negligent and was the cause of the accident if you were injured. Speed Limits Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, as any driver knows. This is particularly true for large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their weight and size. Truckers must therefore observe the speed limits on every road they travel. However truck drivers are often forced to make deliveries in a hurry, and they might not be able to slow down enough for the conditions. 18 wheeler accident settlement palmdale can cause drivers drive dangerously, which can be fatal for other drivers. It is, however, possible to reduce the risk of these accidents by using speed limiters. This device is able to limit the speed of a vehicle to a safe level. It is able to be installed on many different types. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is examining the possibility of a new rule that will require truckers to utilize these devices. The agency has issued a revised notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the rule. Previous proposals have talked about limiting truck speeds to 60 to 65 or up to 68 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private car owners purchase a single policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers on the other hand do not own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they rent their 18-wheelers from a company that transports trucks. Trucking companies require greater limits of liability insurance since commercial vehicles are more hazardous. In addition, they can purchase bobtail and cargo coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the cargo that a semi transports, while bobtail insurance covers the truck after it has delivered its load. These policies can pay compensation to victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It can be difficult to estimate the cost of maintenance for commercial vehicles. The maintenance costs for trucks are high and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. Some companies that operate in the field of trucking offer maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks are usually equipped with ten brakes, not eighteen and anti-lock brakes have become standard in new trucks. Trucks take around 40% longer to stop than a car. This is due to the huge dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its speed increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking and is even used in country music songs, such as the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and the thrash metal group BigRig's track “Roll on”. However, it's important to remember that these vehicles aren't at home on the road and that they must adhere to the same rules as all other drivers. For instance, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving, as a single second of negligence could result in fatal consequences.