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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? 18 wheeler accident lawsuit edinburg happen and cause medical bills, physical damage and time away from work. But, if an 18 wheeler gets involved it can be a lot more serious. If this happens, the victims may file a claim for financial compensation. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help. Weight Limits 18-wheelers can carry the maximum weight of 80,000 pounds including the volume and weight of cargo. This is a very strict limit that requires trucking companies to load their vehicles to the max and can result in overloaded. If a trucker exceeds this limit, they could be subject to fines that vary according to the location. If you look at the lights of an 18-wheeler, you'll usually be able to determine if they're over the speed limit. A single flash from their blinkers means that it's safe to merge in the front of them, whereas flashes of high intensity or multiple flashes indicate that it's not. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep watch for them when merging. It is essential 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 fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are often seen as bullies on the road 72% of accidents between passenger cars and trucks are caused by car drivers. Axles Axles Semi-trucks are different from cars in that they require multiple axles in order to rotate the wheels. A typical truck has four wheels, including the steer and drive axles. Trailers typically come with two tandem axles. It's important to remember that these vehicles are larger than the typical passenger car. Limits on axle weights are based upon a variety of factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula and the legal limits posted by each state for single axles as well as axle groups. The state limit may be higher than the Federal limit, which makes it essential for truckers to understand the federal and state limits on axle weight prior to travel. The process of transporting freight is difficult enough, but adding extra weight can increase the risk of an accident. If a trucker overloads their trailer they are in breach of the law and may be held accountable for resulting injuries. A truck accident lawyer can determine if the operator of an 18-wheeler was at fault and the reason for the accident if you were injured. Speed Limits For any driver, speeding is one of the most frequent causes of truck accidents. This is especially true for large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. This is why it is crucial for truckers to adhere to the speed limits for every route they travel. Truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver quickly and may not be able slow down enough to match the conditions. This could cause drivers to be reckless drivers, which could be deadly for other drivers. It is possible to minimize the chance of accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device that will automatically restrict the speed of a truck to a safe limit and is installed in various types of trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is examining an updated rule that will require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking, in order to collect feedback on the proposal. In earlier proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds should be restricted to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private vehicle owners purchase one insurance policy to cover all their vehicles. Truckers, on the other hand don't own the truck they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking company. Because of the heightened perils that come 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 a semi-truck is carrying. Bobtail insurance covers the truck after it has delivered its cargo. These policies can pay compensation to victims and grieving family members in the event of an accident. Maintenance It is often difficult to estimate the cost of maintenance for commercial vehicles. This is due to the fact that trucks are expensive to maintain and repair particularly when they require major repairs. Some companies that operate in the field of trucking offer maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes rather than 18 and anti-lock break breaks are being offered on new trucks. Trucks take approximately 40% longer to stop than cars. This is due to the large dimension and speed of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen-wheeler” is now synonymous with trucking. It's been used in country music, such as the songs “Giddyup go” and “Teddy Bear”, by Red Sovine, and “Roll on” by thrash metal group BigRig. However, it is important to remember that these vehicles are not home on the road, and that they must obey the same rules as other drivers. It is against the law for truckers, as an example, to text while driving. A single second of inattention could result in fatal consequences.