When there’s an accident involving a car and a large truck, rescue workers come prepared to deal with horrendous injuries. The car might be crumpled like a wadded-up tissue while the truck is relatively unharmed. Any Truck Accident Attorney has talked to many people who’ve suffered terrible injuries in an accident involving a big truck.
Driving schools don’t usually teach drivers what to watch for when sharing the road with an 18-wheeler, but they should. A fully loaded 18-wheeler weighs 80,000 pounds while many cars weigh less than 3,000 pounds. There’s no comparison.
Truckers are like all drivers. Some are very good, some aren’t and others fall somewhere in-between. It’s always safest to assume that the truck driver isn’t a great driver and doesn’t see you, although you should always do what you can to be visible to the trucker.
Give a Truck a Lot of Room
Your car might turn on a dime – the truck can’t. It starts slowly, needs a LOT of room to turn and the length of three football fields to stop if driving 60 mph.
- Never crowd a truck.
- Never drive between two trucks.
- Never dart in front of a truck or cut off a truck.
- If a truck is turning, never try to sneak past the truck.
Expect a Tire Blowout
Ever notice those chunks of rubber by the side of the highway? Each piece was part of a blown out truck tire. Think of truck tires as ticking time bombs. If a tire blows, the truck will suddenly start swerving on the highway. A heavy chunk of tire could come right through your windshield.
A Truck is Like a Sail
Trucks have a tremendous amount of surface area. On a windy day, especially if the truck isn’t loaded, the truck can suddenly drift into your lane. It could even blow over right in front of your car.
There are a Lot of Blind Spots on a Truck
Any big rig has more blind spots than you’d expect, especially on the passenger side.
- Always pass on the left.
- Drive past the truck as quickly as possible.
- Remember, the trucker may not even know you’re there.
If you were injured in a car/truck accident, call a Truck Accident Attorney. Even the safest drivers can be injured in accidents through no fault of their own and deserve compensation for their injuries. Visit Domain URL for a free case evaluation. You can also follow them on Twitter for more updates.
