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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal? Numerous car accidents occur and cause physical injuries, medical bills and time away from work. However, when an 18 wheeler gets involved it can be a lot more dangerous. Victims can make a claim for an amount of money if they suffer. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can assist. Weight Limits In general 18 wheelers can carry 80,000 pounds which includes the weight of cargo. This is a very strict restriction that requires trucking companies to pack their vehicles to capacity which could result in overloaded. Truck drivers who exceed the limit could be penalized, and the fines vary depending on where they reside. If you look at the lights of an 18-wheeler you can usually tell whether they're going over the speed limit. A single flash of their blinkers suggests that it's safe to merge front of them, but high beams or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Be aware of truck drivers who are also using their lights as a way to communicate with each other. Always leave plenty of space between your car and an 18-wheeler. This is particularly important when you're passing. If you cut off the truck, it could lead to an accident that is fatal. Although truck drivers are frequently thought of as bullies on road, 72% of crashes between cars and trucks result from car drivers. Number of Axles As opposed to cars, semi-trucks have multiple axles to turn the wheels. The most common truck has four axles, including the steer and drive axles, whereas trailers typically have two tandem axles. This can make them much longer than a typical passenger vehicle and it's essential to keep this in mind when driving with one of these vehicles. The limits on axle weights are determined by a variety of factors which include the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and axle group legal limit posted by each state. The state limit could be higher than the Federal limit that is why it is vital for truckers and drivers to know the state and federal limits on axle weight prior to travel. Hauling standard freight shipments is enough of a challenge but adding additional weight increases the risk of accidents. A trucker who overloads his trailer is in violation of law and could be held accountable for any injuries that occur as a result. If you've been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler, a truck accident lawyer can help determine whether the driver was carrying more than the limit of load allowed, and if this negligence was the cause of your injuries. Speed Limits Every driver knows that speeding is among the most common causes of truck accidents. This is particularly applicable to large trucks, which are much more likely to crash due to their size and weight. For this reason, it is essential for truckers to observe the speed limits on each road they travel on. Truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able slow down enough to meet the conditions. This can cause drivers to drive dangerously, which can be fatal for other drivers. It is possible to lower the chance of these accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device which will automatically restrict the speed of a vehicle to a safe level, and it can be installed in various types of trucks. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is looking into a new rule which would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued an additional notice of proposed rulemaking in order to gather feedback on the proposal. In previous proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds be restricted to 60 or 65 miles per hour. Insurance The majority of private vehicle owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their vehicles. Truckers however, don't own the trucks they drive. They rent their 18-wheelers instead from a trucking company. Trucking companies require higher limits of liability insurance due to the fact that commercial vehicles are more hazardous. In addition, they can purchase cargo and bobtail coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance protects the cargo that a semi transports while bobtail insurance protects the truck after it delivers its load. These policies are able to provide compensation to grieving victims and family members in the event of an accident. 18 wheeler accident attorney houston 's not always easy to get an accurate estimate of the maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. The maintenance costs for trucks are high and repair, especially when major repairs are needed. Some trucking companies offer maintenance schedules to estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle. Trucks have ten brakes instead of eighteen and anti-lock breaks are currently standard on new trucks. Trucks take around 40 percent longer to stop than a car. This is due to the huge size and acceleration of an 18-wheeler. The term “eighteen wheeler” has become synonymous with trucking. It's used in country music songs, such as the Red Sovine titles “Giddyup Go” and “Teddy Bear” and thrash metal band BigRig's song “Roll on”. It is important to keep in mind that these trucks aren't at home on the roads and must follow the same guidelines as other drivers. For instance, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving because the smallest moment of distraction could have fatal consequences.