Car and truck accidents are all too common, especially in seasons with harsh weather conditions. But truck accidents can be prevented if you know some of the common causes and how to avoid these dangerous situations altogether. If you need truck accident information or legal advice pertaining to a crash, get in touch with a qualified semi truck accident lawyer. Whether you are a truck driver or drive a car, you should also be aware of these common reasons for truck accidents and how you can avoid them.
Common Reasons Truck Accidents Occur
- Traveling at unsafe speeds
- Bad weather or road conditions
- Failure to keep a safe traveling distance
- Improper loading or shifting cargo
- Driver fatigue
- Improper truck maintenance
- Reckless driving or disobeying rules of the road
- Failure to brake or decelerate properly
- Failure to check blind spots
- Traveling around a turning truck
How Can I Avoid the Need For a Truck Accident Attorney?
If you can do everything in your power to avoid getting into an accident, you’ll drastically increase your chances of staying safe on the road.
Truck drivers should always follow the speed limit, use their turn signals, check their blind spots, and follow all posted traffic signs, lights, and laws. However, you must drive defensively and be prepared for any situation. A few things you can do to prevent the need for a semi truck accident lawyer include:
- Avoid blind spots
Do not stay within a trucker’s blind spot. Their blind spots are much larger than your own. They’re located on ether side of the truck as well as behind and in front of the truck. If you do find you’re traveling in these locations, get out of them as soon as you safely can do so. A good way to tell is whether you can see a truck’s side mirrors. Always make sure you have ample clearance when getting in front of a truck in its lane. - Don’t pass a turning truck
Semi trucks and other large vehicles make very wide turns — they say so right on the back of the vehicle. Be patient with these drivers and wait until it’s safe to pass on either side. If you try to go pass a turning truck, there’s a significant chance you’ll end up in a crash. - Allow for ample traveling distance
Don’t travel too closely to a truck. They need plenty of distance and time to come to a stop. This is especially important in bad weather. In wet conditions or when traveling on a highway, make sure you have at least six seconds’ worth of distance between you and a truck. - Follow the rules
If we expect truck drivers to follow traffic laws, we need to do the same. When you don’t react or drive in a predictable way, it makes it much harder for either driver to avoid an accident. Maintain a lawful speed, don’t cut in front of a truck, be sure to signal, and do everything you can to keep yourself safe in any circumstance.
If you’ve been in an accident, be sure to call the police, seek medical attention, and contact an attorney right away.
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