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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Many car accidents occur and result in medical bills, physical damage and time lost from work. When 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 help. Weight Limits In general, 18 wheelers can only transport up to 80,000 lbs including the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that forces trucking companies to pack their trucks as full as possible and could result in overloaded. If a truck driver exceeds the limit, they could face fines, which vary depending on the location. It is easy to tell if an 18-wheeler is over the limit by observing their lights. A single flash of their blinkers indicates that it's safe to merge in front of them, while high beams or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Truck drivers also utilize 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 you are passing. If you cut off the truck, it could result in an accident that is fatal. While truck drivers are often seen as bullies on the road 72% of accidents between cars and trucks are caused by car drivers. Axles Axles Semi-trucks are different from cars in that they require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. A semi-truck typically has four wheels, including the steer and drive axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. This makes them longer than a typical passenger vehicle 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 variety of factors that include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit set by each state. The state limit can often be higher than the Federal limit that is why it is vital for truckers to be aware of the federal and state limit on axle weight before they travel. The transportation of standard freight can be difficult enough however, adding extra weight increases the chance of accidents. When the trucker overloads their trailer they are in breach of the law and may be held accountable for resulting injuries. A truck accident lawyer will determine if the driver of an 18-wheeler was at fault and the reason for the accident in case you were injured. Speed Limits Like any driver, speeding is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. This is especially the case for large trucks due to their size, weight and size. Truckers must therefore observe the speed limits on every road they travel. Truck drivers are often under pressure to make quick delivery and may not be able slow down enough to match the conditions. This could cause drivers to take risks when driving, which could cause harm to other drivers. It is possible to decrease the chance of these accidents by using speed limiters. This device automatically limits the speed of a vehicle to a safe level. It can be installed on various types of vehicles. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit virginia is looking at a new rule that will require truckers to make use of these devices. The agency has released an additional notice of proposed rulemaking in order to gather feedback on the proposal. In previous proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds should be limited to 60 or 65 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private car owners buy a single insurance policy to protect their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the vehicles they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking firm. Trucking companies need higher limits of liability insurance since commercial vehicles are more hazardous. In addition, they can purchase bobtail and cargo insurance for their vehicles. Cargo coverage protects the freight that a semi is carrying, while bobtail insurance covers the truck after it delivers its load. In the event of a collision these policies can be used to compensate victims or grieving family members for the losses they suffered. Maintenance It is often difficult to estimate the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. Trucks are expensive to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are needed. Some trucking companies have maintenance schedules that estimate the cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks are usually equipped with ten brakes, not eighteen, and anti-lock brakes are now available in all newer vehicles. In general, trucks take around 40 percent longer than a standard car to stop. This is due to the huge size of an 18-wheeler and its momentum add to the stopping distance. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It has even been used in country music, like the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by thrash metal group BigRig. However, it's important to remember that these trucks are not at home on the road and that they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truckers to text while driving, as the split second of inattention could result in fatal consequences.