Posted in Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law,Truck Wreck on November 26, 2014
How to Avoid Truck Accidents
Some truck accidents occur without warning, and no amount of precaution or preparation can prevent them from happening. However, it’s still a good idea to practice safe and defensive driving skills to reduce your likelihood of being involved in a truck accident.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Murfreesboro truck accident lawyers have seen the devastating injuries that result when passenger vehicles are involved in collisions with big trucks. That’s why we make it our goal to both help truck accident victims get compensation and help people avoid getting injured in the first place.
5 Tips for Staying Safe Near Big Trucks
Whether you’re driving on the interstate, highway, or any road where big trucks are present, here are a few tips to keep in mind to keep you and your family safe:
Truck drivers have several blind spots around their cabins and trailers. It’s important to avoid these areas while driving near a big truck, as the driver will be unable to see your vehicle. These blind spots include the area directly in front of the truck, behind the trailer, and the left and right areas of the back of the trailer.
Because of their size and weight, big trucks are much more difficult to stop or even slow down than standard-sized passenger vehicles. If you change lanes in front of a truck and then have to stop or slow down due to traffic or a stop light, the driver may not have enough time to slow down all the way, which could cause him to strike the back of your vehicle.
Big trucks carrying trailers often need wide berths to make right turns. Because they may initially swing out into the far left lane when making a turn, you may be tempted to turn at the same time into the right lane next to the truck. However, that may put you directly in the truck driver’s blind spot, and as he straightens out his trailer, he may sideswipe your vehicle or even accidentally run you off the road.
If you’re driving directly in front of a big truck, it’s best to move to another lane to give the truck as much room as possible. However, if you’re unable to change lanes, try to keep a steady speed and brake far in advance of when you actually need to slow down—especially if you’re driving down a decline.
Even if you have a vehicle with great acceleration, it’s still smart to never pull out in front of a truck. There’s always a risk of error or vehicle malfunction when entering a highway, interstate, or other roadway, and something as minor as your engine stalling or loosing traction on the pavement for a split second could lead to a serious accident that causes life-threatening injuries.
By following these tips, you can reduce the likelihood that you and your loved ones will be involved in a truck accident.
But every precaution in the world can’t prevent all accidents, and that’s why the Murfreesboro truck accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law are here to help you during your time of need. We have years of experience investigating truck accident cases, and we can collect evidence to build a strong claim on your behalf.
Let us help you get the compensation you need for your medical bills and lost wages—just dial (615) 200-1111 or fill out our free online form today.
