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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents happen and cause physical injury, medical bills and time away from work. But, if an 18 wheeler is involved it can be even more serious. In this case, victims are able to file a claim for financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help. Weight Limits In general 18 wheelers can carry up to 80,000 pounds, including the weight of cargo. This is a very strict restriction that forces trucking companies to pack their vehicles to the max which could result in overloaded. Drivers who exceed this limit may be penalized. The penalties vary based on where they reside. If you examine the lights of an 18-wheeler you'll know if they're going over the speed limit. A single flash of their blinkers suggests that it's safe to merge the front of them, whereas flashes that are high or multiple indicate that it's not. Be alert for truck drivers who are also using their lights as a way to communicate with each other. It's important to always leave a wide gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler especially when you are passing. Trucks require plenty room to slow down and stop when they stop, and if you cut them off, it could lead to an unfathomable crash. Although 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 Semi-trucks, unlike cars, require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. The most common truck has four axles, including the steer and drive axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. It is important to keep in mind that these vehicles are much larger than the typical automobile. Axle weight limitations are based on a variety of factors, such as the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits posted by each state for single axles as well as axle groups. 18 wheeler accident law firm north richland hills can often be higher than the Federal limit which is why it is crucial for truckers to know the state and federal limit on axle weight before they travel. Moving standard freight shipments can be difficult enough however, adding extra weight increases the chance of accidents. A trucker who overloads his truck is in violation of the law and could be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result. A truck accident lawyer can determine if the driver of an 18-wheeler was negligent and the reason for the accident if you were injured. Speed Limits Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, which every driver knows. This is especially applicable to large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Therefore, it is vital for truckers to obey the speed limits for every route they travel. Truck drivers are often pressured to make quick delivery and may not be able to slow down enough to meet the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and can cause harm to other motorists. Speed limiters can decrease the chance of accidents. This is a gadget that will automatically restrict the speed of a truck to a safe speed and can be fitted in a variety of types of trucks. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is examining the possibility of a new rule that would require truckers use these devices. The agency has issued a revised notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the proposal. Previous proposals have discussed the limitation of truck speeds to 60, 65, or even the speed limit of 68 speeds. Insurance The majority of private car owners buy a single insurance policy to cover their personal vehicles. The truckers do not own the trucks that they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies require higher limits of liability insurance due to the fact that commercial vehicles are more risky. In addition, they can purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo that a semi transports, while bobtail insurance covers the truck once it has delivered its load. In the event of a crash the policies could help to compensate grieving family members for the losses they suffered. Maintenance It's often difficult to get an accurate estimate of the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because trucks are extremely expensive to maintain and repair particularly when they require major repairs. However some trucking firms offer maintenance schedules that provide an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks are typically equipped with only ten brakes, not 18, and anti-lock brakes are now standard in newer trucks. Trucks take around 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due in part to the large dimension and speed of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It has even been used in country music, for instance the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by thrash metal group BigRig. It is crucial to remember that these trucks aren't at all times on the roads and must follow the same guidelines as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truck drivers to text while driving because a single second of negligence could result in fatal consequences.