How to Avoid 18 Wheeler Accidents
It can be devastating for anyone you love when they are involved in a collision with a truck. These accidents are usually the cause of serious injuries, and they can change your life forever.
A truck accident attorney can help you receive the compensation that you deserve for damages. A seasoned lawyer can assist you in recovering from this stressful time.
1. Speeding
Driving at a high speed can be dangerous for everyone, including drivers and pedestrians. This behavior can lead to accidents that cause fatalities like wrongful deaths and serious injury. Speeding can result in increased insurance costs and points added to the driving record of a driver.
A collision that involves an 18-wheeler could be devastating. These huge trucks carry massive weights, which means they can cause a significant amount of damage to smaller vehicles that hit them. This can be extremely painful for the people in the small vehicle hit and can even result in life-threatening injuries depending on the severity of the collision.
Fortunately, there are ways for drivers to lessen the chance of being involved in an 18 wheeler accident. The first step is to avoid all forms of speeding.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that speeding caused one-third of all traffic fatalities in 2020. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
Another mistake drivers make is driving quickly for the conditions. For example, when it rains or the road needs to be repaired. This behavior can also lead to collisions with other vehicles, for example, pedestrians and bike riders.
Younger drivers are at an especially vulnerable risk of speeding. This is due to the fact that they are more likely to not have the experience and knowledge that older drivers have regarding the laws of the road.
Drivers who are drowsy or intoxicated may also be more likely to go over the speed limit or drive at a speed that is too fast for conditions. They may not be paying enough focus on the road, or they may not even realize that they are in close proximity to other vehicles and trucks.
In addition, driving too fast for conditions can cause a driver to miss a red light or stop sign. It could also increase the risk of a crash. This can be especially dangerous when the driver is driving an 18 wheeler, because they are much larger than standard passenger cars.
2. Passing trucks with Caution
You might need to travel by a truck while on an highway or interstate. In these instances, you should always be cautious to avoid the risk of causing collision.
18 wheeler accident law firm centennial are heavier than passenger cars, therefore they will take longer to stop and slow down. It is important to give them the time to respond to you signals and turn to the right when they pass.
If you are passing a truck, it is recommended to allow at minimum four seconds between yourself and their vehicle. This will give you plenty of time to react to the truck's actions and avoid a collision.
You should also never cut in front of a truck when you are changing lanes or exiting the highway. This is risky because a truck driver's blind spot can make it difficult for them to see you. They can also be distracted by a cell phone or other device that can cause them to lose control of their vehicle.
Maintain a safe distance you and the truck, especially when driving in a left section of a divided road or one-way street. You can avoid the blind areas of the truck and stay clear of its line of fire if they lose control or strike jackknife.
Be sure to let them know your intentions prior to time and give the driver plenty of time to react. This will help avoid an accident and increase your chances of avoiding serious accident.
If you're on a two-lane highway or an interstate, you should not cross a double solid white line or broken yellow lines when crossing. This can cause problems for other drivers on the road and could result in an accident of serious severity.
It's not necessary to be afraid of a large commercial truck. You can safeguard yourself and avoid 18-wheeler accidents by following these simple tips.
Contact us at Cesar Ornelas Law for a free consultation today to discover what compensation you could receive after being injured by a collision with an 18-wheeler.
3. Try to get out of the way
18 wheelers are massive machines that transport freight across the country. They are a crucial part of our economy, and it is essential to be aware of what to look for on the road.
Becoming out of the way is usually the best way to avoid an 18-wheeler accident. It is not recommended to drive directly in front of a commercial truck and give yourself extra space when merging or passing.
Avoiding blind spots is an additional important point to remember. These include the areas behind the cab as well as both sides of the truck. A properly placed mirror for the cab can make all the difference.
If you have to merge, you should signal clearly so the trucker knows what you are planning to do. This can be done by activating your hazard lights and turning on your headlights when you are approaching the vehicle in front of you.
The trucker might not see your vehicle and therefore not be able to slow down enough time to avoid an accident. The vehicle may also have a very high center of gravity. This can cause the driver to lose control and hit you either from the front or rear.
Getting out of the way of an 18-wheeler is not only the sexiest thing you can do on the road, but it's also the most secure. The biggest risk is that a speeding truck could end up being a fatal accident. The other dangers are that the vehicle may hit you on a curve, or have a hot brake that could result in an accident.
4. Try to pass a Passenger Vehicle
You've probably encountered this scene as a driver: you're stuck in traffic behind a large truck, and you must to get it out of the way so that you can get to your destination. If you don't handle it correctly, this can cause 18-wheeler collisions.
It's important to be cautious when passing trucks, especially in winter conditions. 75 percent of accidents involving commercial vehicles are caused in passenger cars. It is therefore essential to be aware of the best ways to pass an unintentionally parked truck.
The first thing to remember is that semis have a much longer blind spot than passenger vehicles. This is due to their long trailers block their driver's view. It's important to be aware when you attempt to pass them.
When passing, make sure to remain in the left lane and leave plenty of space around the vehicle. This will stop you from getting rear-ended. This is an everyday occurrence in 18-wheeler collisions.
Also, be aware that the brakes on trucks take longer to stop than a passenger car's. It is also important to give the truck enough time to stop before it comes close to your vehicle.
Watch out for tire blowouts, which can cause debris over the road into your lane. Also, a semi-trailer might be able to drift into your lane. This can be risky especially in windy conditions.
Last but not least, you must use your turn signals when you pass a truck. This will enable the truck driver to see you and will let them be aware of when it is safe to change lanes.
The combination of these elements into account will help you be safe on the roads with trucks. If you've been in an accident with a truck don't hesitate in contacting the experienced attorneys for 18 wheeler accidents at Cesar Ornelas Law for a no-cost case review. We can help you recover damages to cover the injuries you sustained and damage to property.