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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Numerous car accidents occur and result in physical and medical expenses and time lost from work. When an 18-wheeler vehicle is involved, the consequences can be more serious. Victims can make a claim for the financial compensation they deserve if this happens. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can help. Weight Limits 18-wheelers can carry a maximum of 80,000 pounds including the weight and volume of cargo. This is a strict limitation that requires trucking companies to load their vehicles to the max and could lead to overloading. Drivers who exceed this limit can be fined, and the penalties vary based on the location they reside in. If you take a look at the lights of an 18-wheeler you can usually tell whether they are going over the speed limit. If their blinkers flash once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams and flashes with multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also use their lights to communicate, so keep alert for them when merging. Always leave a large gap between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is crucial when you're driving by. If you cut off the truck, it could cause fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are commonly seen as bullies on the road 72% of accidents between trucks and passenger cars are caused by car drivers. The number of Axles Semi-trucks, like cars, require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A typical semi-truck has four wheels, including the drive and steer axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. It's important to remember that these vehicles are longer than a typical passenger car. 18 wheeler accident lawyer henderson on axle weights are based upon a variety of factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits set by each state for single axles as well as axle groups. State limits may be higher than federal limits, therefore it is essential for truckers and drivers to be aware of prior to travel. Hauling standard freight shipments can be difficult enough but adding additional weight increases the risk of accidents. When the trucker overloads their trailer and is in violation of the law and could be held liable for the resulting injuries. If you've suffered injury in an accident caused by an 18-wheeler, a lawyer for truck accidents can determine if the driver was carrying more than the maximum amount allowed, and if this negligence was the cause of the injury. Speed Limits As any driver knows, 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 size and weight. Truckers should therefore adhere to speed limits on all roads they travel on. Truck drivers are often pressured to speed up delivery times and may not be able slow enough to accommodate the conditions. This can lead drivers to drive recklessly, which could cause harm to other drivers. It is possible to reduce the risk of these accidents by using speed limiters. This device automatically limits the speed of a vehicle to a safe limit. It can be put in on various types of vehicles. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently evaluating an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released a new notice of proposed rulemaking in order to gather feedback on the proposal. In earlier proposals it was suggested that truck speeds should be limited to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance Most private vehicle owners purchase one insurance policy to protect their vehicles. The truckers do not own the trucks that they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a company that transports trucks. Trucking companies require higher limits of liability insurance since commercial vehicles are more hazardous. They can also purchase cargo and bobtail insurances for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the cargo the semi is transporting while bobtail insurance protects the truck after it delivers its load. In the event of a collision these policies can be used to compensate grieving victims or family members for their losses. Maintenance It is often difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because commercial vehicles are very expensive to repair and maintain, especially when they need major repairs. However some trucking firms offer maintenance schedules that provide an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle. The majority of trucks have only ten brakes, not 18, and anti-lock brakes have become standard in new trucks. In general, trucks take 40 percent longer than a normal car to stop. This is due to the huge size and momentum of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking. It's even featured in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and thrash metal band BigRig's song “Roll on”. However, it is important to remember that these vehicles aren't home on the road and they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. For example, it is illegal for truckers to text while driving because a single second of negligence could have deadly consequences.