How to Prevent Devastating Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are among the most devastating on the road. This is mainly due to the massive size of commercial trucks, as well as the cargo they transport that includes heavy items and sometimes combustible materials. As a result, injuries sustained in accidents with trucks tend to be more severe and sometimes fatal. However, there are ways to prevent these devastating accidents. Drivers should follow certain tips to remain as safe as possible.

Avoid Blind Spots

Huge trucks have multiple blind spots that you must avoid while sharing roads with them. Truck drivers may not be able to see other vehicles when they are 20 feet ahead of the truck or 30 feet behind it, two lanes wide on the truck’s right side and in the lane on the truck driver’s side that goes back to around half the length of the truck’s trailer.

As a general rule of thumb, if you are unable to see the truck driver in the truck’s side mirrors, your vehicle may not be visible to the driver. Avoiding those areas and giving plenty of space between your vehicle and the truck can keep you safer.

Pass Safely

Always pass a truck safely. Commercial trucks can’t stop or maneuver as easily or quickly as regular vehicles. As a result, a truck driver needs more time to stop or change their speed. The following are important steps for safely passing a truck:

• Avoid passing while going uphill or downhill
• Only pass from the left, where it’s easier for the driver to see you, maintain speed and use your signal
• Avoid merging back into the lane with the truck until you’re able to see the driver in your rearview mirror
• Stay to the right if a truck passes you and slow down to give them more space to pass

Give Signals

Always use your signals when passing a truck or when changing lanes near one. It’s important that the driver sees this so that they can have enough time to change speeds to allow you to safely pass and to avoid an accident.

Give Plenty of Room

Always give plenty of room and don’t stay too close to a truck for too long. Disaster can strike when you don’t give enough space. There is a risk of a tire blowout, sudden braking or high winds, which can cause a truck to roll over.

Lower Your Brights

Bright headlights can blind any driver, but it’s even more devastating when this happens to a commercial truck driver. Lower your high beams whenever a truck or any other vehicle is nearby.

Merge Carefully

Never merge in front of a truck when the traffic is slowing down in preparation to stop. Large trucks have more difficulty slowing down faster, which means a truck can strike your car in such a situation.

Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is always dangerous, but the risk can be even greater when you’re sharing the road with a truck. Avoid texting, using your smartphone in your hand, eating and other activities that can take your full attention off the road.

Accidents with trucks can have devastating, long-lasting consequences. If you are injured in such an accident, contact Juan Reyna from Reyna Injury Lawyers. As an experienced Texas Truck Accident Lawyer, he will sit down with you to discuss the details of your case. Then, taking all the facts into account, he will work with you to devise a legal plan of action that strives for the best possible outcome in your situation.

For more information please visit our site.

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