Personal Injury Lawyer
Sharing the road with commercial trucks may not be something many drivers think about until they are faced with them when driving. Have you ever been concerned that you will be hit by a semi truck? When accidents involving large commercial trucks happen, they almost always produce horrific results. Although some accidents occur before you even know what happened, practicing safe driving around commercial trucks may help to prevent an accident. When faced with a trucking accident, seek the assistance of a commercial truck accident lawyer residents trust for their guidance. In the meantime, always practice safety when driving, especially when around large semi trucks. Here are some tips that may help to reduce the risk of an accident:
Tip #1 Never Drive in a Truck’s Blind Spots
Large trucks have a number of blind spots surrounding them. When a vehicle drives in one of these blind spots, large trucks may be unable to see them. This may result in a truck changing lanes, or turning into your lane. It’s safe to say that if you are unable to see them in their side mirrors, they likely are unable to see you as well.
Tip #2 Do Not Follow Too Closely Behind a Large Truck
Tailgating or driving too closely behind a truck may mean they are unable to see you behind them. Keep a safe distance in order to ensure that you are visible to the truck. Another risk of following too closely may be that you are unable to stop in time if the truck stops short.
Tip #3 Give Enough Space Between Your Car and a Truck
When changing lanes in front of a truck, leave a safe distance between yourself and the truck. Trucks do not always have the capability of stopping quickly. Cutting too closely in front of a truck may not give them enough time to stop in the event traffic were to slow down.
Tip #4 Pay Attention
Driving distractedly can result in poor outcomes regardless of whether or not a truck is around. However, it’s important to be on alert when driving around large trucks. This will give you a higher likelihood of responding in the event of an emergency.
Tip #5 Give Trucks Plenty of Space
Try to never crowd a truck. Whether they are taking a turn or you are sitting in traffic, trucks take up a lot of space. Giving space between yourself and a truck can provide extra protection when sharing the road with them.
When Faced with a Trucking Accident
Accidents involving large truckers may have the ability to seek legal recourse, especially if the trucker or trucking company can be held liable for negligent practices. Personal injury attorneys may be able to help you in obtaining compensation for the damages you have suffered. Trucking accidents can be particularly complex because your claim may involve more than one party. Facing not only the driver, but the trucking company responsible can seem overwhelming. An attorney may be useful in navigating your case with ease. Although the last thing you may want to do is manage a legal situation, an attorney can take the lead so that you can focus on your recovery.
Practicing safe driving, especially around large trucks may give you the ability to respond quickly when faced with a hazardous situation. Although you will never be able to control the actions of trucks or other drivers on the road, you can equip yourself with skills that allow for you to drive defensively to mitigate an accident. If you have had the misfortune of sustaining an injury, or worse, from an accident involving a truck, contact a personal injury attorney for their assistance.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Johnston | Martineau, PLLP for their insight into truck driving accident cases.