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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents occur and result in 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 be of assistance. Weight Limits In general, 18 wheelers can only transport up to 80,000 lbs, including the weight of cargo. This is a very strict restriction that forces trucking companies to fill their vehicles full, which can lead to overloading. If a truck driver goes over this limit, they could face fines, which vary depending on the location. If you take a look at the lights of an 18-wheeler you can usually tell whether they're going over the speed limit. A single flash of their blinkers means that it's safe to merge in the front of them, whereas flashes with multiple lights mean that it's not. Truck drivers also use their lights to communicate, so keep an on the lookout for them when merging. It is important to leave a wide gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler particularly when you pass. If you cut off the truck, it could lead to fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are commonly seen as bullies on the road, 72% of crashes between trucks and passenger cars are caused by car drivers. The number of Axles Unlike cars, semi-trucks require multiple axles to turn the wheels. The typical truck has four axles, including the drive and steer axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical car and it's important to be aware of this when driving in the vicinity of one of these vehicles. The weight limits for axles are based on a number of factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits set by each state for single axles and axle groups. The state limit may be higher than the Federal limit that is why it is vital for truckers to be aware of the state and federal axle weight limits prior to traveling. Hauling standard freight shipments can be difficult enough and a heavier load increases the risk of accidents. A trucker who overloads his trailer is in violation of the law and may be held responsible for any injuries that occur as a result. If you've been injured in an accident caused by an 18 wheeler A lawyer for truck accidents can determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and whether this negligence was the reason for your injuries. Speed Limits Speeding is a major cause of truck accidents, as every driver is aware. This is particularly true for large trucks due to their weight, size and size. Therefore, it is vital for truckers to obey the speed limits of every road they travel on. Truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able to slow down enough to suit the conditions. This can cause drivers to drive dangerously, which can be deadly for other drivers. Speed limiters can reduce the risk of accidents. This device automatically reduces the speed of a car to a safe limit. 18 wheeler accident attorney san francisco can be fitted on a variety of types. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is looking at a new rule that would require truckers to make use of these devices. The agency has issued an additional notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the rule. Previous proposals have focused on limit truck speeds to 60 or 65, or even up to 68 speed. Insurance The majority of private owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their vehicles. Truckers, however, do not own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies require greater limits of liability insurance because commercial vehicles are more risky. They can also purchase cargo insurance and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo coverage safeguards the cargo a semi is hauling, while bobtail insurance covers the truck when it delivers its load. In the event of a crash the policies could help to compensate victims or grieving family members for their losses. Maintenance It is often difficult to obtain an accurate estimation of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because the trucks are costly to repair and maintain particularly when they require major repairs. However some trucking firms offer maintenance schedules that provide an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes rather than eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are being offered on new trucks. They take about 40% longer to stop than a car. This is due to the massive size of an 18-wheeler and its momentum add to the stopping distance. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's even used in country music, including the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by thrash metal group BigRig. It is crucial to keep in mind that these trucks aren't driving on the streets and must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. For example, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving since the split second of inattention could have deadly consequences.