Accidents involving commercial trucks can be devastating. The sheer size of these vehicles mean that when a truck crashes into a smaller vehicle, the results are often tragic.
The personal injury attorneys at Anthem Injury Lawyers are familiar with the disastrous effects that a truck accident can have. We represent clients who have sustained life-altering injuries such as paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. We also represent the surviving family members who have lost a loved one in a truck accident.
Here are our tips for avoiding truck accidents.
Pay Attention
Being aware of what is happening on the road around you is the first step to preventing an accident. If you see a big truck hitting its brakes or driving erratically, slow down or change lanes to avoid getting near it. Be aware of the speed limit, inclement weather, and poor road conditions. Use your turn signals when you are changing lanes to alert other drivers about your plans.
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Leave Plenty of Room
Always give a truck plenty of space. Don’t tailgate. Make sure to leave plenty of stopping distance between you and the truck. Commercial vehicles take longer to stop than vehicles. If the driver of a truck stops suddenly and you’re following right behind, you’re likely to rear-end the back of the truck.
You should generally avoid being near a truck for too long. Large trucks like big rigs are at increased risk for accidents. For example, high winds can cause truck rollovers. Also, if you are too close to a truck when its tire blows out, the pieces of the tire can fly off and hit your windshield.
Avoid Blind Spots
Large commercial trucks have many more blind spots than other motorists. If you cannot see the driver in the truck’s side mirrors, he or she likely cannot see you. Avoid being in these blind spots, or “no zones,” where a truck driver may not be able to see you:
- Directly in front of a truck
- Directly behind a truck
- Along each side of a truck, especially the right side
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Use Caution While Passing
If you need to pass a truck, use caution. A large truck cannot stop as quickly or maneuver as easily as other vehicles, so truck drivers will need additional time to react and adjust their speed.
Never pass a truck while on a hill. A truck may naturally increase or decrease its speed because of the incline.
Never pass while a truck is turning. Remember that a semi-truck makes wide turns and will likely move into the adjacent lanes. It is must safer to wait until the truck is done turning to pass.
Once you’ve passed a truck, do not change lanes to be back in front of the truck until you can clearly see the driver in your rearview mirror.
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Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving increases the risk of all types of car accidents. Avoid anything that may take your eyes, mind, or hands away from the road. This means to avoid talking on a cellphone, texting, eating, drinking, and distracting passengers.
Lower Your High Beams
Always lower your high beams when driving near a larger vehicle. Bright headlights can reflect off of a trucker’s large side mirrors and blind them. While high beams may annoy all drivers, if you have high beams on while near a larger vehicle, you may cause a catastrophic accident.
Experienced Las Vegas Truck Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident and you would like to speak with a law firm that has experience dealing with truck accidents, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000. We offer Free Consultations.
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