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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Numerous car accidents occur and result in medical bills, physical damage and time away from work. But, if an 18-wheeler is involved it can be much more dangerous. Victims may file a claim to receive financial compensation if this happens. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can assist. Weight Limits In general, 18 wheelers can only carry up to 80,000lbs in total, not including the weight of cargo. 18 wheeler accident attorney mckinney is a strict limitation that requires trucking companies to load their vehicles to the max which could result in overloading. Drivers who exceed this limit may be fined, and the penalties vary based on the location they reside in. If you look at the lights of an 18-wheeler you'll usually be able to determine if they are going over the speed limit. A single flash of their blinkers means that it's safe to merge the front of them, whereas flashes of high intensity or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Keep an eye out for truck drivers who use their lights to communicate. It is crucial to always leave a significant gap between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler especially when you are passing. If you cut off the truck, it could result in fatal crashes. Car drivers are the primary cause of 72 percent of crashes involving vehicles and trucks. Axles Axles Like cars, semi-trucks need multiple axles to rotate the wheels. A semi-truck typically has four wheels, including the drive and steer axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical car, and it's important to be aware of this when driving with one of these vehicles. The weight limits for axles are based upon a variety of factors, like the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits set by each state for single axles and axle groups. The state limit could be higher than the Federal limit which is why it is crucial for truckers to know the federal and state limits on axle weight prior to travel. Moving standard freight shipments is enough of a challenge and a heavier load increases the chance of accidents. A trucker who overloads his truck is in violation of law and could be held responsible for any injuries that occur as a result. A lawyer for truck accidents can determine if the operator of an 18-wheeler was negligent and was the cause of the accident if you were injured. Speed Limits Like any driver, speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents. This is especially relevant for large trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their weight and size. Truckers should therefore adhere to speed limits on all roads they travel. However truck drivers are often forced to make deliveries in a hurry and might not be able to slow down enough for the conditions. This could cause drivers to drive recklessly, which could be deadly for other drivers. It is, however, possible to decrease the risk of these accidents by using speed limiters. This device automatically restricts the speed of a car to a safe level. It is able to be installed on various types of vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued a second notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit feedback on the rule. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds be restricted to 60 or 65 miles per hour. Insurance Most private vehicle owners purchase one insurance policy to protect their vehicles. Truckers on the other hand do not own the trucks they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking company. Because of the risky nature associated with commercial vehicles, trucking firms typically require greater liability insurance limits. They can also purchase cargo insurance and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the freight that semi-trucks transport. Bobtail insurance protects the truck once it has delivered its cargo. These policies will provide compensation to grieving victims and family 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 trucks are very expensive to repair and maintain particularly when they require major repairs. Some trucking companies have maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle. Trucks come with ten brakes instead of 18 and anti-lock breaks are currently standard on new trucks. They take about 40 percent longer to stop than cars. This is due to the huge dimensions and the speed of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking. It is mentioned in country music tracks, such as the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and the thrash metal group BigRig's song “Roll on”. It is important to remember that these trucks aren't at driving on the streets and must follow the same guidelines as other drivers. It is against the law to permit truckers, for instance to use their phones while driving. A moment of inattention could result in negative consequences for a driver.