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Is an 18 Wheeler Legal?

A lot of car accidents happen and cause physical and medical expenses and time taken away from work. When an 18-wheeler is involved the consequences are far more serious.

Victims are able to file a claim to receive financial compensation when this occurs. A New Orleans truck accident lawyer can help.

Weight Limits

In general 18 wheelers can carry up to 80,000 pounds, including the weight of cargo. This is a strict limit that requires trucking firms to pack their vehicles full and can result in overloading. If a truck driver goes over this limit, they may be penalized, and the penalties vary 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 exceeding the speed limit. A single flash from their blinkers means that it's safe to merge in ahead of them, whereas high beams or multiple flashes mean that it's not. Truck drivers also make use of their lights to communicate, so keep an watch for them when merging.

Always leave a good distance between your vehicle, and an 18-wheeler. This is especially important when you're passing. Trucks require plenty of space to slow down and stop and if you cut them off and they are unable to stop, it could result in a deadly crash. Although truck drivers are commonly viewed as bullies on the road 72% of collisions between cars and trucks are caused by drivers of cars.

Axles Axles

As opposed to cars, semi-trucks have multiple axles to turn the wheels. The typical semi-truck has four axles, including the drive and steer axles, while a trailer typically has two tandem axles. It's important to note that these vehicles are much longer than a typical car for a passenger.

Axle weight limits 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. 18 wheeler accident lawyer burbank may be higher than the Federal limit that is why it is vital for truckers and drivers to know the federal and state axle weight limits prior to traveling.

The challenge of hauling freight is already difficult enough but adding weight increases the risk of an accident. A trucker who overloads his truck is in violation of law and could be held responsible for any injuries that occur as a result. If you've been injured as a result of an accident involving an 18 wheeler A lawyer for truck accidents will help determine if the driver was carrying more than the limit of load allowed, and if this negligence was the reason for the injury.





Speed Limits

Speeding is one of the main causes of truck accidents, as every driver is aware. This is particularly applicable to large trucks, which are more likely to crash due to their size and weight. For this reason, it is important for truckers to follow the speed limits of every road they travel.

However truck drivers are usually required to deliver their goods quickly and may not be able slow down enough to cope with the conditions. This can cause drivers drive recklessly, which could be deadly 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 limit that can be fitted in a variety of types of trucks.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is currently evaluating the possibility of a new rule that will require truckers to use these devices. The agency has issued a second notice of proposed rulemaking to solicit feedback on the idea. In earlier proposals, it was suggested that truck speeds should 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 do not own the trucks they drive. Instead, they lease their 18-wheelers from a trucking company. Trucking companies require greater limits of liability insurance due to the fact that commercial vehicles are more dangerous. In addition, they can purchase bobtail and cargo coverage for their vehicles. Cargo insurance covers the cargo that a semi transports, while bobtail insurance covers the truck after it has delivered its load. In the event of an accident, these policies can help to compensate victims or grieving family members for the losses they suffered.

Maintenance

It's difficult to come up with an accurate estimate of maintenance costs for commercial vehicles. They are costly to maintain and repair, particularly when major repairs are needed. However, some trucking companies provide maintenance schedules that will give an estimate of the overall cost of maintaining the vehicle.

Trucks are typically equipped with 10 brakes, not 18, and anti-lock brakes have become standard in new trucks. In general, trucks take 40% longer than a regular car to stop. This is due to the huge size of an 18-wheeler and its acceleration add to the stopping distance.

The term "eighteen wheeler" has become synonymous with trucking. It's featured in country music songs like the Red Sovine titles "Giddyup Go" and "Teddy Bear" and thrash metal band BigRig's track "Roll on". It is nevertheless important to remember that these vehicles are not at home on the road, and they must obey the same rules as all other drivers. For example, it is illegal for truck drivers to text while driving because the split second of inattention could result in fatal consequences.