7 Tips To Avoid Truck Accidents

Truck Accident Law: How to Avoid Trucking Accidents

Commercial trucks can be very dangerous things on the highway, or any road for that matter. Given their substantial power and size, collisions involving smaller vehicles usually leads to heartbreaking consequences.

Commercial truck drivers go through rigorous training to avoid accidents just to get their license, but they can\’t prevent everything. Motorists driving those smaller vehicles need to be aware of how to avoid truck accidents too. Keep reading to learn the fundamentals of how you can accomplish this while on the roadways.

You might be so used to seeing the backs of trucks say things like \”If you can\’t see my mirrors, I can\’t see you\” that you don\’t even read them anymore. 

It\’s true, though. Commercial truck drivers usually can\’t see the 20 feet right in front of their trucks, 30 feet behind their trucks, two lanes wide on their side, or the driver\’s side next lane going back half the length of the trailer. In all these places, their visibility is difficult or even nonexistent.

Video showing the Causes of Trucking Accidents
Watch this video to see what kind of serious accidents trucks can cause.

#1- Be cautious whenever you\’re passing a commercial truck

They can\’t maneuver or stop as easily or quickly as your smaller vehicle. Try to avoid passing when heading uphill or coming downhill, as these are times when trucks might have sudden changes in speed. Pass on the left if you can so the driver can see you more easily, and never merge in front of a truck unless you can clearly see the driver in your mirror, so you know he can see you.

#2- Always give off clear signals

Do this when you are going to pass, turn, or change lanes. Clear signals let truck drivers have some idea what you\’re going to do, giving them enough time to make their own adjustments. Sudden changes without warning might not leave a truck driver the time they need to avoid hitting you.

#3- Don\’t hang around a truck too long

Tire blowouts on the truck can impact your windshield. A truck that brakes suddenly might tip over or be something you slide under. High winds can mean a truck rolls over.

#4- Stay at least 4 seconds behind a truck, and do not pass a truck on the right if it\’s making a right turn.

#5- Don\’t use your bright headlights

High beams might annoy other car drivers, but commercial truck drivers might get blinded by them given the size of their mirrors.

#6- If traffic is slowing down or even stopping, don\’t merge in front of the truck. 

A truck slows down faster than you do, and you don\’t want to be in his braking zone. If any commercial truck is passing you, decelerate just a bit so that the passing time of the truck goes faster.

#7- Don\’t get distracted, since that raises your risk considerably

Keep your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind on what you\’re doing. Pay no attention to noisy passengers, food and beverage, or your smartphone. Text messages can wait until you are stopped somewhere.

If you see a big truck, act like its a big TRex and presume it could cause you serious damage. Just be careful and let the big thing go on its way.  Truck accident stats show that there are a lot of truck accidents and usually the person thats not in the truck is the one who gets seriously injured.  

If you ever get into a truck accident, you will need the services of a top personal injury attorney who focuses on truck accident law and injuries sustained during an accident involving an 18 wheeler or big rig large truck. Find a truck accident lawyer who offers a free consultation at the Accident Personal Injury Directory. 

—> Top Causes of Truck Accidents (Infographic)

In 2016, 4,564 lives were lost in 4,079 crashes involving large trucks or buses in the United States.  Fatalities increased 5% from 2015, and fatal crashes increased 6%.