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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? A lot of car accidents happen and cause physical and medical expenses and time away from work. If an 18 wheeler is involved, it can be a lot more grave. Victims may submit a claim for financial compensation when this occurs. This is where an attorney from New Orleans truck accident attorney can assist. Weight Limits 18-wheelers are limited to carrying a maximum of 80,000 pounds including the weight and volume of cargo. This is a very strict limitation that requires trucking companies to load their vehicles to the max, which can lead to overloading. If a truck driver exceeds the limit, they could be penalized, and the penalties vary depending on the place of operation. If you examine the lights of an 18-wheeler you'll know if they're exceeding the speed limit. If their blinkers flash just once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and 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 large gap between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you are passing. If you cut off the truck, it could cause fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are often thought of as bullies on road 72% of accidents between passenger cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars. Axles Axles As opposed to cars, semi-trucks have multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The typical truck has four axles, including the steer and drive axles, while a trailer typically has two tandem axles. It's important to note that these vehicles are much larger than the typical car for a passenger. The limits on axle weights are based on various factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit set by each state. 18 wheeler accident law firm salt lake city may be higher than the Federal limit, which makes it essential for truckers to understand the state and federal axle weight limits before traveling. The challenge of hauling freight is already difficult enough, but adding extra weight increases the risk of an accident. When a trucker overloads their trailer and is in violation of the law and can be held accountable for the consequences of the injuries. If you've suffered injury in an accident with an 18-wheeler, a truck accident lawyer will help determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum amount allowed, and also if the negligence was the reason for your injuries. Speed Limits Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, as every driver knows. This is especially applicable to large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their weight and size. Truckers must, therefore, adhere to the speed limits on every road they travel. However truck drivers are usually required to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able to slow down enough to meet the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and it can cause harm to other motorists. Speed limiters can reduce the chance of accidents. This device automatically reduces the speed of a vehicle to a safe limit. It can be fitted on a variety of types. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is studying the possibility of a new rule that would require truckers use these devices. The agency has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit feedback on the proposed rule. In previous proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds should be restricted to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private car owners purchase a single policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers however don't own the truck they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking firm. Companies that transport goods require greater limits of liability insurance since commercial vehicles are more hazardous. They can also purchase cargo insurance and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance is a way to protect the cargo that a semi-truck is carrying. Bobtail insurance covers the truck once 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 obtain an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because commercial vehicles are extremely expensive to maintain and repair, especially when they need major repairs. Some trucking companies have maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes instead of eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are now standard on new trucks. In general, trucks require around 40 percent longer than a typical car to stop. This is due to the massive size of an 18-wheeler and its acceleration increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's even used in country music, such as the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by thrash metal group BigRig. But it is crucial to remember that these trucks are not at home on the road and that they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. It is against the law for truckers, for instance to text while driving. A single second of inattention could have negative consequences for a driver.