There’s no surefire way to prevent trucking accidents from occurring. There are, however, ways to minimize the likelihood of them. And one of the best ways to keep the roadways safer boils down to one simple thing: motorist awareness about things that have historically contributed to trucking accidents.
Respect Work Zones
Respecting the rules of work zones is essential for avoiding trucking accidents. Work zones present additional driving challenges, including uneven road surfaces, shifting lanes, slow moving equipment, and sudden and unexpected stops. In 2016, 27% of work zone fatalities involved at least one large truck and 8% of work zone injury crashes also involved a truck, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Slow down in work zones. It just may save your life.
Give Truckers Extra Room
Large trucks can’t stop as quickly as cars can. This is especially true if the trucker has a full load. Consequently, give trucks plenty of room to stop, and don’t cut in front of a truck without leaving ample space between your vehicle and the front bumper of the truck.
Understand Trucking Blind Spots
Trucks have significantly greater blind spots than the average car. In fact, a trucker has blind spots on all sides of the vehicle, including:
- 30 feet behind the truck
- 20 feet in front of the truck
- The entire width of the left lane, from the cab of the truck extending to the front half of the trailer
- The entire width of the right two lanes of traffic, from the front of the cab extending at an angle all the way to the back of the trailer
Driving in any one of these blind spots is dangerous, since a truck driver may not know your car is there. Motorists should be aware of these blind spots and take necessary steps to avoid driving in them. Passing a truck should occur quickly. When a truck is passing your car, slow down slightly to allow it to pass quickly. This gets you out of the blind spot faster.
Have You Been Injured in a Trucking Accident?
If you have been injured in a trucking accident, you have rights and may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. At David K. Wilson & Associates, we represent people who have been injured in trucking accidents. We are well versed in trucking law and are familiar with the factors that lead to trucking accidents. We are also aware of illegal conduct some truckers engage in, including doctoring their log books and adding “ghost runs” to make more money, both of which violate state and federal laws.
At David K. Wilson & Associates, we leave no stone unturned when examining a trucker’s conduct and credentials, as well as the credentials of the company they work for. Let us put our experience to work for you and your family.