When you are on the road with a large truck, it is important to use caution and practice safe driving skills to avoid an accident. Compared to other vehicles on the road, trucks are larger and heavier, taking longer to stop and using more space to make turns.
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a truck accident, it is important that you contact an experienced South Bend truck accident lawyer at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak for assistance. We understand how a truck accident can be a traumatic, stressful experience and we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
To reduce your risk of a crash, consider the following safety tips for avoiding a truck accident.
Stay a Safe Distance Away
Larger vehicles need more space to safely drive and maneuver around other vehicles. Avoid a collision by staying at least one or more car lengths away. If you can, leave at least three seconds between you and the commercial truck.
If you are not paying attention, you may not have enough time to stop to avoid a hazard or other vehicles that have slowed down. This is why you need to pay attention and keep a safe distance behind large trucks. By staying a safe distance from the truck, you will have enough time to react when tires blowout or when weather causes poor road conditions.
Avoid Blind Spots
Blind spots on trucks are anywhere the driver cannot see other cars in the mirrors on either side of the truck. These areas also include the following:
- One lane of width on the driver’s side, extending halfway back to the trailer
- Two lanes of width on the right side of the truck, extending partially behind the trailer
- 20 feet in the front of the commercial truck
- 30 feet behind the large truck
Use Caution when Passing
The driver of a passenger vehicle must remain visible in the mirrors of the truck for the truck driver to see him or her. This is helpful when passing so the truck driver can see you and does not push your car off the road. Before pulling into the lane in front of a truck, you should be able to see the truck driver in the rearview mirror.
Caution is also necessary when moving downhill because trucks tend to move faster and passing in this situation is not recommended. If the truck passes the driver, slowing down and staying right provides the larger vehicle room to move.
Be Aware of Right Turns
Commercial trucks take more room and need more time when turning. The truck driver may move to the left before making a right turn, and if a passenger vehicle moves into the space, this could end in disaster.
It is crucial to avoid passing a truck making a right turn because driving between the truck and the curb could cause your vehicle to be crushed in the middle.
Always Drive Defensively
Defensive driving is essential when driving near trucks. Aggressive behavior could lead to a collision when the driver of a vehicle is not thinking clearly or engages in dangerous or risky behavior.
If you encounter an aggressive driver:
- Safely get out of their way if possible
- Slow down if needed
- Avoid eye contact
- Ignore any gestures
Contact a South Bend Lawyer for Help
By practicing safe driving skills, you can help reduce your risk of avoiding collisions with commercial trucks. However, if a crash happens and you suffer an injury, it is in your best interest to hire a skilled lawyer for a compensation claim.
Contact the South Bend personal injury attorneys at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak if you were injured in a truck accident to discuss the legal options available to you. We can help assess your claim and create a legal strategy that is tailored to your circumstances.
We offer a free, no-obligation consultation. This allows us to learn about your claim and your rights. We will discuss how we can help you and because we work on a contingency fee, there are no upfront fees. You only pay us for our services if we assist you in recovering compensation for your truck accident.
Call (844) 678-1800 to get started.
