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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents occur and cause medical bills, physical damage and time away from work. But, if an 18 wheeler is involved, it can be even more serious. In this case, victims may file a claim for financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can assist. Weight Limits 18-wheelers can carry up to 80,000 pounds including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a very strict restriction that forces trucking companies to pack their vehicles with full capacity and could lead to overloaded. If a trucker exceeds the limit, they could be penalized, and the penalties vary depending on the place of operation. If you examine the lights of an 18-wheeler, you'll be able to tell if they're going over the speed limit. If their blinkers flash just once it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams or multiple flashes aren't. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep on the lookout for them when merging. It is important to leave a significant gap between your vehicle and an 18-wheeler, especially when passing. If you cut off the truck, it may cause an unfatal crash. Although truck drivers are commonly considered to be bullies on the road 72% of accidents between cars and trucks are caused by car drivers. Number of Axles Unlike cars, semi-trucks require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A semi-truck typically has four wheels, including the steer and drive axles. Trailers usually come with two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a standard passenger vehicle and it's important to keep this in mind when driving along with one of these vehicles. The weight limits for axles are based upon a variety of factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits posted by each state for single axles and axle groups. State limits may be higher than federal limits, which is why it is important for truckers to verify prior to traveling. The task of transporting freight isn't difficult enough and adding additional weight increases the risk of an accident. When a trucker overloads their trailer and is in violation of the law and could be held accountable for the results of injuries. If you've suffered injury in an accident with an 18-wheeler an attorney for truck accidents can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the maximum amount allowed, and if that negligence caused the injury. Speed Limits Like any driver, speeding is one of the most frequent causes of truck accidents. This is especially the case for big trucks due to their size, weight and weight. Truckers must, therefore, adhere to the speed limits on every road they travel. However truck drivers are often pressured to make quick deliveries, and they may not be able to slow down enough to cope with the conditions. 18 wheeler accident case muncie could cause drivers to drive recklessly, which could be fatal for other drivers. It is possible to lower the risk of these accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device that can automatically limit the speed of a vehicle to a safe level, and it can be fitted in a variety of types of trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is examining the possibility of a new rule that would require truckers to utilize these devices. The agency has issued a second notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the idea. Previous proposals have talked about restricting truck speeds to 60, 65, or even up to 68 miles per hour. Insurance Most private vehicle owners buy a single policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers, on the other hand, don't own the trucks they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Because of the risky nature that come with commercial vehicles, trucking companies generally require higher liability insurance limits. Additionally, they may purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the cargo a semi is hauling and bobtail insurance safeguards the truck when it delivers its load. These policies may pay compensation to victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It's difficult to come up with an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. The maintenance costs for trucks are high and repair, particularly when major repairs are required. However, some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules which provide an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks typically have 10 brakes, not 18 and anti-lock brakes are standard in new trucks. Trucks take around 40% longer to stop than cars. This is because the large dimensions of an 18-wheeler as well as its speed increase the stopping distance. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's even used in country music, like the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear” by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by the thrash metal group BigRig. It is important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't home on the roads and must follow the same rules as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, for instance to use their phones while driving. One second of inattention could result in devastating consequences.