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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? There are numerous accidents involving cars that cause physical and medical bills as well as time off from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved, the consequences can be far more serious. Victims may 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 are restricted to carrying an maximum of 80,000 lbs including the weight and volume of cargo. This is a very strict restriction that requires trucking companies to pack their vehicles full which could result in overloaded. Drivers who exceed the limit could be penalized, and the fines vary depending the place they live. If you examine the lights of an 18-wheeler, you'll be able to tell if they're exceeding the speed limit. A single flash of their blinkers means that it's safe to merge front of them, while flashes that are high or multiple indicate that it's not. Be aware of truck drivers who use their lights as a way to communicate with each other. Always leave a good distance between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is crucial when you are passing. Trucks require plenty room to slow down and stop, and if you cut them off this could result in fatal crashes. Car drivers are at fault for 72% of all crashes between trucks and cars. Number of Axles Semi-trucks, unlike cars, require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. A typical semi-truck has four wheels, including the steer and drive axles. Trailers usually have two tandem axles. 18 wheeler accident law firm montana makes them longer than a typical car, and it's important to keep this in mind when driving along with one of these vehicles. The limits on axle weights are based on a variety of factors including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limit posted by each state. The state limit could be higher than the Federal limit and this is why it is essential for truckers and drivers to know the federal and state limits on axle weight prior to travel. Transporting normal freight shipments can be challenging enough and a heavier load increases the chance of accidents. A trucker who overloads his truck is in violation of law and could be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result. If you've been injured as a result of an accident that involved an 18 wheeler, a truck accident lawyer can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the maximum weight allowed, and whether this negligence was the reason for your injury. Speed Limits As any driver knows, speeding is among the most frequent causes of truck accidents. This is especially true for big trucks due to their weight, size and size. This is why it is essential for truckers to obey the speed limits on each highway they travel. However, truck drivers are often pressured to make quick deliveries and may not be able to slow down enough to meet the conditions. This could cause drivers to be reckless drivers, which could be deadly for other drivers. Speed limiters can reduce the chance of accidents. This device automatically restricts the speed of a vehicle to a safe limit. It can be installed on various types of vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is examining an amendment to the rulebook that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has released an additional notification of the proposed rulemaking to solicit feedback on the proposed rule. Previous proposals have discussed the limitation of truck speeds to 60, 65, or even up to 68 mph. Insurance The majority of private vehicle owners purchase one policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers however do not own the vehicles they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies need higher limits of liability insurance because commercial vehicles are more risky. In addition, they can purchase cargo and bobtail insurance for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the freight that semi-trucks transport. Bobtail insurance protects the truck after it has delivered its cargo. These policies are able to provide compensation to grieving victims and family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It can be difficult to estimate the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. This is because trucks are costly to maintain and repair particularly when they require major repairs. However, some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules which provide an estimate of the total cost of maintaining the vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes instead 18 and anti-lock break breaks are being offered on new trucks. In general, trucks require around 40 percent longer than a standard car to stop. This is due to the massive size and acceleration of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It has even been used in country music, including the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by the thrash metal group BigRig. It is nevertheless important to remember that these trucks aren't home on the road, and they must obey the same rules as other drivers. For instance, it's illegal for truck drivers to text while driving as a single second of negligence could lead to fatal consequences.