Semi truck accident attorneys make their living in the aftermath of truck accidents. However, we assure you it is our preference for the accidents to never occur in the first place. Please take the time to browse through the following safety tips before the next time you hit the road.
Don’t “hang out” on either side of trucks or buses.
Trucks and buses have big No-Zones (blind spots) on both sides. They’re much larger than your car’s blind spots. If you can’t see the driver’s face in the side-view mirror, the driver can’t see you. If that driver needs to swerve or change lanes for any reason, you will not have an opportunity to retreat out of the semi truck’s path and an accident will occur.
Cutting in front can cut short your life
If you cut in front of a semi truck, you may create an emergency-braking situation for the semi truck driver or cause a semi truck accident, especially in heavy traffic. Trucks and buses take much longer to stop in comparison to cars. If you force a larger vehicle to stop quickly this could cause a serious, even fatal semi truck accident. When passing, look for the front of the semi truck in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front and avoid braking situations!
Buckle your Seat Belt
Always buckle your seat belt. Seat belts are your best protection in case of a semi truck accident. Semi trucks require a greater stopping distance and can seriously hurt you if a semi truck accident occurs from behind. However, your seat belt will keep you from striking the steering wheel or windshield, being thrown around, and from being ejected from the car. Wearing a seat belt is the single most important thing you can do to save your life, especially in a semi truck accident.
Aggressive Drivers can cause a semi truck accident
Aggressive drivers can be dangerous drivers. They put themselves and others at risk with their unsafe driving. Speeding, running red lights and stop signs, pulling in front of semi trucks too quickly when passing, and making frequent lane changes, especially in the blind spots of semi trucks, can create dangerous and potentially semi truck accidents on the road. These situations can lead to road rage not only for the aggressive driver, but also for others sharing the road.
Inattentive Drivers are just as dangerous as aggressive ones
Inattentive drivers do not pay attention to driving or what is going on around them. They can be just as dangerous as aggressive drivers when they drive slowly in the passing lane, ignore trucks brake lights or signals, and create an emergency-braking situation. They also create dangerous situations when they attempt to do other things while driving, such as using cell phones. When you are driving, please focus only on the road. If you need to attend to another matter while driving, safely pull over in a parking lot or rest stop.
Avoid Squeeze Play
Be careful of semi trucks making wide right turns. If you try to get in between the semi truck and the curb, you’ll be caught in a “squeeze” and can suffer a serious semi truck accident. Truck drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely negotiate a right turn especially in urban areas. They can’t see cars directly behind or beside them. Cutting in between the truck and the curb increases the possibility of a crash. So pay attention to semi truck signals, and give them lots of room to maneuver.
Never Drink And Drive
Drinking and driving don’t mix. Alcohol affects a person’s ability to make crucial driving decisions, such as braking, steering, or changing lanes. Remember, you are not the only one in danger when you decide to drink and then drive. Alcohol use plays just as significant of a role in semi truck accidents as it does in accidents involving smaller vehicles. You are sharing the road with everyone including large vehicles and your chances of getting into a semi truck accident are greatly increased. If you get into a semi truck accident, you’re out of luck. The odds of surviving a serious semi truck accident are frighteningly low. However, if you do live through it without serious injury, think of your higher insurance rates, your large legal fees, and other social and professional setbacks it will cause you. Think before you drink.