Automotive

Truck Accidents – How can they be avoided?

Truck AccidentsOf all the semi accidents that occur in the United States, about 98 percent of them result in at least one casualty. Clearly, accidents that involve semis, big rigs, and 18 wheelers are bizarre incidences. They bring a series of physical and emotional shock for the injured and their loved ones. While car accidents are more of a straightforward event, truck accidents are incredibly complex.

Commercial trucks weigh about 80,000 pounds and a collision from one of these is unquestionably a daunting thought for most people. In fact, it can be pretty intimidating to drive alongside an 18 wheeler or a big rig. Although, some precautionary steps and tips can be followed to avoid such accidents and obtain more confidence while driving in and around one of these.

Moreover, not just truck drivers, but the drivers who share roads with these vehicles must know the actions that trigger such accidents so that they can avoid doing certain things. Hence, it is crucial that you understand different aspects of such accidents. Only after a cooperation from both the sides could these unfortunate accidents be prevented.

Quick Flash: Why and How Do Truck Accidents Take Place?

The chief reason for most of the truck accidents is because of their tremendous size, length, and weight. From the neglect of federal regulations and mechanical failure to faulty road constructions and driver errors, there are a plethora of factors that contribute towards such incidents. For instance, not being attentive at the time of truck loading and handling may lead to an accident.

These accidents can also take place because of a lack of training and experience on the driver’s end. Another significant factor that contributes to the truck accidents is due to the driver’s not getting adequate sleep or fatigue. However, there are Federal laws according to which a driver is limited to driving for only one day to counter such problem. But unfortunately, some drivers go beyond their potential for earning more money and compensation.

First of all, it is important to know that these truck are enormous and have a huge weight which means it is comparatively hard to slow down or stop these truck. When a vehicle collides with a truck, it leads to an underride or overrides effect which depends on who crashes into whom. Overrides typically occur when the truck driver is unable to stop and runs over a smaller vehicle in front of them. Underrides happen when a car goes under a truck trailer. This might happen because of following the truck too closely or poor visibility.

Regarding how do these truck accidents take place, one should first understand that these drivers go through specialized training and know how to handle large vehicles. So, most of the times it is the other driver’s fault because they do not know how to drive next to them.

How Can Truck Accidents Be Avoided?

Taking care of few precautionary actions in your mind while driving next to these, may save your life or someone you dearly love. Dashed out below are important pieces of information regarding the same.

  • Never act over smart or casual enough to overtake or speed up when you are driving next to a commercial truck. Don’t cut in front of a truck; it only implies inviting danger. Always remember that a truck cannot stop abruptly as a car.
  • While you pass, offer more space to the truck than you’d usually offer to other vehicles.
  • It is always advisable to maintain a proper distance while sharing the road with the big rigs, 18-wheelers, etc..
  • Always be more careful when it comes to the turns. Watch out if the truck driver intends to turn before making any moves. Sometimes truck drivers require swinging wide to make a right turn.
  • Also, you should know that if you are unable to view a truck driver or his side mirror, he too cannot see you.
  • It is highly recommended to keep away from the blind spots of a truck. Even though these trucks have a big mirror and a better forward view, they still have blind spots.
  • Don’t pass a truck on the right-hand side because most trucks have a large blind spot on their right sides which can make it incomprehensible to view a full-sized car.
  • Do not park your vehicle directly behind a truck. In case a truck driver does not check before exiting their parking space, your car would be severely messed up.
  • It would be unwise to follow a truck too closely as this would be quite dangerous if the truck stops in front of you abruptly.

Besides physical and emotional trauma, a collision from an 18 wheeler, or other commercial trucks also inflicts a financial shock on the injured person and their loved ones.

Contributed by:http://www.texas-truckaccidentlawyer.com/

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