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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are a lot of car accidents that result in physical and medical bills, as well as time off from work. However, when an 18 wheeler gets involved it could be more dangerous. If this happens, the victims may file a claim for financial compensation. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can help. Weight Limits 18-wheelers can carry an maximum of 80,000 lbs including the weight and volume of cargo. This is a strict limit that requires trucking companies to fill their vehicles to capacity which could result in overloaded. If a truck driver is in excess of this limit, they could face fines, which vary depending on the location. You can usually tell if an 18-wheeler is going over the limit by watching their lights. A single flash of their blinkers indicates that it's safe to merge in ahead of them, whereas flashes that are high or multiple indicate that it's not. Be aware of truck drivers who also use their lights as a way to communicate. Always leave a wide gap between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you're driving by. If you cut off the truck, it could result in fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are often viewed as bullies on the road, 72% of crashes between cars and trucks result from car drivers. Axles Axles As opposed to cars, semi-trucks have multiple axles to rotate their wheels. A typical semi-truck has four wheels, including the drive and steer axles. Trailers usually come with two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical passenger vehicle and it's important to be aware of this when driving with one of these vehicles. Limits on axle weights are based on a range of factors, like the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits set by each state for single axles as well as axle groups. Limits for states can be higher than federal limits, so it is important for truckers to know prior to traveling. The transportation of standard freight 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 may be held responsible for any injuries resulting from. 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. 18 wheeler accident attorney high point Like any driver, speeding is among the most common causes of truck accidents. This is especially true for large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Truckers must therefore observe the speed limits on every road they travel. Truck drivers are often pressured to deliver quickly and may not be able slow enough to accommodate the conditions. This can result in dangerous driving, and could also be fatal to other motorists. Speed limiters can lower the risk of accidents. This device automatically restricts the speed of a car to a safe speed. It can be installed on many different 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 get feedback on the idea. The previous proposals have talked about limiting truck speeds to 60, 65, or even 68 speeds. Insurance Most private vehicle owners purchase one insurance policy to protect their vehicles. Truckers however don't own the truck they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking firm. Trucking companies need higher limits of liability insurance because commercial vehicles are more risky. Additionally, they may purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the cargo the semi is transporting and bobtail insurance protects the truck when it delivers its load. These policies will compensate victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It can be difficult to estimate the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. It is expensive to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are needed. However, some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules that give an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. The majority of trucks have only ten brakes, not 18, and anti-lock brakes are now available in all newer vehicles. Trucks take approximately 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due in part to the large size and momentum of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It has even been used in country music, such as the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by thrash metal group BigRig. However, it is important to remember that these trucks are not home on the road and that they must adhere to the same rules as all other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truckers to text while driving since a single second of negligence could have deadly consequences.