How to Avoid 18 Wheeler Accidents
If you or someone you love is involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, it could be a devastating accident. These accidents are typically caused by severe injuries, and they can change your life forever.
A lawyer for truck accidents can help you receive the compensation you're entitled to for the damage. It can be a stressful moment, but a skilled lawyer will help you focus on healing.
1. Speeding
Driving at high speeds is risky for everyone including pedestrians and drivers. This kind of behavior can result in fatal crashes, including wrongful death or serious injuries. Speeding can also result in increased insurance costs and points on a driver's record.
A collision that involves an 18-wheeler could be devastating. These huge trucks are hefty, and can cause significant damage to smaller vehicles. This can be very painful for the occupants of the small vehicle injured and can result in life-threatening injuries, depending on the severity of the crash.
Fortunately, there are actions that drivers can take to lower the risk of being involved in an 18 wheeler accident. The first thing that should be done is to stay clear of speeding in any way possible.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was responsible for one-third of all traffic deaths in 2020. This is a huge problem that needs to be addressed.
Another mistake that motorists make is driving too fast for the conditions such as when it's raining, or when the road is being repaired. This can cause accidents with other vehicles such as pedestrians and motorcycle riders.
Speeding is a major risk for young drivers. This is due to the fact that they are more likely to lack the experience and expertise that older drivers have in regards to the laws of the road.
Drivers who are drunk or drunk are more likely to exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for conditions. This is due to the fact that they may not be paying at all to the road ahead or might not realize how close they are to other cars and trucks.
In addition driving too fast for the conditions can cause a driver to run into a red light or stop sign. This can also increase the chance of a motorist falling over. This is especially risky when the driver is driving an 18-wheeler, as they are bigger than regular passenger cars.
2. Moving trucks through with caution
You may have to pass a truck on an highway or interstate. In these instances it's essential to drive with caution so as to avoid collision.
It is also important to be aware that trucks weigh more than passenger vehicles, which means that they require longer to slow down and stop. You should give them enough time to react to your signals and move to the right when they pass.
When you're passing a truck you should allow at the least four seconds gap between you and their vehicle. This will give you plenty of time to react to the truck's actions and avoid collision.
Additionally it is not advisable to cut in front of a truck to change lanes or leave the highway. This could be dangerous since the blind spot of a truck driver could make it difficult for them to see you. They may also be distracted by their cell phone or other device which could lead them to lose vehicle control.
Maintain a safe distance from the truck, particularly when you are driving in the left lane of an unidirectional highway. You can avoid the blind spots of the truck and stay out of its range of fire in the event that they lose control or hit jackknife.
Make sure to communicate your intentions prior to time and give them ample time to respond. This will help you avoid a collision and increase the chance of avoiding a serious accident.
If you're traveling on a two-lane highway or an interstate it is not advisable to cross a double solid white line or an unbroken yellow line when you are passing. This could lead to serious accidents and interfere with other drivers.
It's not necessary to be scared of a big commercial truck. You can help yourself and avoid accidents with 18-wheelers by following these easy tips.
If you've been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler, call our team at Cesar Ornelas Law today for no-cost consultation and determine if we can help you obtain compensation.
3. Try to get out of the way
18 wheelers are big machines that haul freight across the nation. It is crucial to know what to look for while driving.
Often, the best method to avoid an 18 wheeler accident is to stay out of their way. It is not recommended to merge or pass a commercial truck directly in front.
Avoiding blind spots is another important tip. These areas include behind the cab and both sides of the truck. A properly-placed mirror in the cab can make all the difference.
If you must merge, make sure you communicate your intentions clearly so that the trucker is aware the merge. The best method for doing this is to turn on your hazard lights, and then turn on your headlights as you move towards the vehicle in front of you.
The trucker may not see your vehicle and therefore not be able to slow it down in enough time to avoid an accident. The vehicle may also have a high center of gravity, which can cause the driver to lose control, and possibly hit you from behind or front.
It's not just the safest way to stay out of the path of an 18-wheeler, it is also the most sexiest. The biggest risk is that a vehicle speeding away can end up in an accident that could be fatal. The other risk is that the vehicle could hit you on a curve or have a hot brake which could cause an accident.
4. Trying to Pass a Passenger Vehicle
As drivers, you've probably experienced this frustrating scenario on the road and are stuck behind a huge truck and you have to pass it to get to your destination. Unfortunately, attempting to do so can lead to 18 wheeler accidents if not done correctly.
It's essential to be mindful when passing trucks, particularly in winter weather conditions. In fact, 75 percent of all commercial vehicle accidents result from drivers in passenger vehicles, so it's essential to know what to do and what not to do when trying to pass trucks.
First, be aware that semis have a wider blind spot than passenger vehicles. This is because their long trailers block their driver's view of the road, so it's important to pay close focus when trying to pass them.
When you pass, make sure to stay in the left when passing, stay in the left. Leave plenty of space around the vehicle. This will keep you from being hit by a vehicle, which is often the case in 18-wheeler accidents.
Be aware that the brakes on a truck take a longer time to stop than a car's. It is also important to allow the truck time to stop before it approaches your vehicle.
Be aware of tire blowouts, which can cause debris across the road into your lane. A semi-trailer could also drift into your lane. 18 wheeler accident law firm upland can be dangerous particularly in windy conditions.
Also, make sure you use your turn signals when passing a truck. This will allow the truck driver to see you and will allow them to be aware of when it is safe to change lanes.
Incorporating all of these factors in consideration will help you drive safely when sharing the road with trucks. Contact the experienced 18-wheeler collision attorneys at Cesar Ornelas law for a free consultation if you've been involved in an accident that involved a truck. We can help you recover damages to cover your injuries and damage to property.