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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?





Many car accidents occur and result in physical injury, medical bills and time taken away from work. When an 18 wheeler is involved, it can be much more dangerous.

Victims can file a claim to receive financial compensation when this occurs. This is where a New Orleans truck accident attorney can help.

Weight Limits

In general 18 wheelers can transport up to 80,000 lbs which includes the weight of cargo. This is a strict restriction that requires trucking companies to load their vehicles to capacity, which can lead to overloading. If a truck driver is in excess of this limit, they could be fined, which varies depending on the location.

If you take a look at the lights of an 18-wheeler you'll be able to tell if they're over the speed limit. If their blinkers flash once, it is safe to merge ahead of them. High beams or multiple flashes aren't. Be on the lookout for truck drivers who are also using their lights to communicate.

It's important to always leave plenty of space between your vehicle and an 18 wheeler especially when passing. If you cut off the truck, it could lead to fatal crashes. Although truck drivers are commonly considered to be bullies on the road 72% of crashes between passenger cars and trucks result from car drivers.

Number of Axles

Semi-trucks, like cars, require multiple axles to rotate the wheels. A typical truck has four wheels, which includes the drive and steer axles. 18 wheeler accident lawyer jacksonville have two tandem axles. It's important to keep in mind that these vehicles are much longer than the average automobile.

The weight limits for axles are determined by a variety of factors, including the Federal Bridge Formula, and the single axle and the axle group legal limits set by each state. State limits can be higher than federal limits, and it is essential for truckers and drivers to be aware of before they travel.

Hauling standard freight shipments can be difficult enough but adding additional weight increases the chance of accidents. If a trucker overloads their trailer and is in violation of the law and could be held responsible for resulting injuries. If you've suffered injury in an accident involving 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 injury.

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 weight and size. Therefore, it is crucial for truckers to obey the speed limits of every road they travel on.

However, truck drivers are often under pressure to deliver quick deliveries, and they might not be able to slow down enough for the conditions. This can lead to risky driving, and it can cause harm to other motorists.

It is possible to decrease the risk of these accidents by using speed limiters. This is a device that can automatically restrict the speed of a vehicle to a safe amount that can be installed in many different types of trucks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering an updated rule that would require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to get feedback on the proposal. In previous proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds should be limited to 60, 65 or even 68 miles per hour.

Insurance

The majority of private owners purchase an insurance policy that will protect their vehicles. Truckers, on the other hand, don't own the trucks they drive. They lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Due to the increased risk associated with commercial vehicles, trucking companies generally require higher liability insurance limits. Additionally, they may purchase bobtail and cargo insurance for their vehicles. Cargo coverage safeguards the cargo a semi is hauling, while bobtail insurance covers the truck after it delivers its load. These policies may help grieving families and victims members in the event of an accident.

Maintenance

It is often difficult to estimate the cost of maintenance for commercial vehicles. They are costly to maintain and repair, especially when major repairs are required. Some trucking companies have maintenance schedules that estimate the cost of maintaining a vehicle.

Trucks are usually equipped with 10 brakes, not 18, and anti-lock brakes have become common in newer vehicles. In general, trucks take around 40 percent longer than a typical car to stop. This is due to the large size and momentum of an 18-wheeler.

The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking and is even featured in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and thrash metal band BigRig's song "Roll on". It is nevertheless important to remember that these trucks are not home on the road and that they must adhere to the same rules as other drivers. It is illegal for truckers, for instance to use their phones while driving. A single second of inattention could result in negative consequences for a driver.