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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are many accidents involving cars that cause physical and medical bills in addition to time off from work. When 18 wheeler accident attorney fort wayne -wheeler vehicle is involved, the consequences can be far more severe. In the event of a crash, victims can file a claim for financial compensation. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can help. Weight Limits In general 18 wheelers can carry up to 80,000 pounds in total, not including the weight of cargo. This is a very strict restriction that forces trucking companies to pack their trucks as full as possible and can lead to overloaded. If a truck driver is in excess of the limit, they could be fined, which varies by location. You can usually tell if an 18 wheeler is over the limit by looking at their lights. A single flash of their blinkers means that it's safe to merge in the front of them, whereas high beams or multiple flashes indicate that it's not. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep an watch for them when merging. It is crucial to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler, especially when you are passing. Trucks require plenty of room to slow down and stop and if you cut them off and they are unable to stop, it could result in a fatal crash. Car drivers are the primary cause of 72 percent of all crashes between trucks and cars. The number of Axles Semi-trucks, unlike cars, require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. The typical truck has four axles, which includes the drive and steer axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical passenger car and it's important to be aware of this when driving alongside one of these vehicles. The weight limits of axles are based on several factors that include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit posted by each state. The state limit may be higher than the Federal limit that is why it is vital for truckers to be aware of the federal and state axle weight limits prior to traveling. The task of transporting cargo is difficult enough however, adding more weight increases the chance of an accident. When the trucker overloads their trailer and is in violation of the law and can be held accountable for resulting injuries. If you've suffered injury in an accident with an 18-wheeler, a lawyer for truck accidents will help determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum amount allowed, and if this negligence caused the injury. Speed Limits As any driver knows, speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents. This is particularly true for large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. Truckers should therefore adhere to the speed limits on every road they travel. However, truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver quick deliveries and may not be able slow down enough to meet the conditions. This could lead to unsafe driving, and it can cause harm to other motorists. It is, however, possible to minimize the chance of accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device which will automatically limit the speed of a truck to a safe amount, and it can be installed in many different types of trucks. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is examining the possibility of a new rule that will require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released a new notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the rule. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds be limited to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance Most private vehicle owners purchase a single insurance policy to protect their personal vehicles. Truckers, on the other hand don't own the truck they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking firm. Because of the risky nature that come with commercial vehicles, trucking companies generally require higher liability insurance limits. They can also purchase cargo insurance and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo that semi-trucks are hauling. Bobtail insurance protects the truck once it has delivered its load. In the event of a wreck the policies could help to compensate grieving victims or family members for their losses. Maintenance It's difficult to come up with an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. They are costly to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are required. Some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules that estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes instead eighteen and anti-lock breaks are being offered on new trucks. Trucks take around 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due in part to the large size and acceleration of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's even been used in country music, including the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by thrash metal group BigRig. However, it's important to keep in mind that these vehicles aren't at home on the road and they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truckers to text while driving because the split second of inattention could result in fatal consequences.