Commercial trucks are huge, heavy vehicles that can do a lot of damage in an auto accident. Just imagine what an 18-wheeler can do to a passenger vehicle. Not only is vehicle damage typically extensive but injuries also tend to be severe.
While trucking accident lawyer, Jimmy Dean can help guarantee that you receive compensation for your damages after an accident, it’s also best to avoid getting into a wreck with a semi. Since trucks are a vital part of the nation and Texas’s supply chain, the large vehicles are here to stay, which means you want to take steps to prevent an accident.
How to Avoid Accidents with 18-Wheel Trucks
Trucking accidents may be more common than you think. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas roads saw over 38,000 commercial truck and bus accidents in 2019. While not all of these accidents resulted in severe injuries, damages are often still extensive, in addition to your transportation and freight costs.
So, before you hit the roads in Houston or anywhere else in Texas, here are some tips on staying safe around commercial trucks.
Stay Out of Blind Spots
You probably know where the blind spots are on your vehicle. These are the places where you can’t see if there are any obstacles in the vicinity. All vehicles have blind spots. The difference with 18-wheel trucks is the blind spots tend to be larger.
Commercial trucks have four blind spots you want to avoid driving in. Yes, sometimes it’s impossible to stay out of a truck’s blind spot. Just try to get out of it as soon as possible. Remember, when you’re in a truck’s blind spot, the driver has no idea you’re there. So, where are the blind spots on a commercial truck?
There are two blinds between the front and rear truck tires. Each side of the truck (right and left side) has a blind spot.
The immediate front of the truck. If you’re driving directly in front of a semi with only a few feet of distance separating the two vehicles, there’s a good chance you’re in the blind spot.
The fourth blind spot is directly behind the truck. So, if you’re riding too close to the rear bumper, the truck driver probably has no idea you’re back there.
A good rule to follow is if you can’t see the truck’s side view mirrors, there’s a good chance the driver also can’t see your vehicle. If you’re in front of a big rig, try to leave enough distance between the two vehicles to where you can see the driver’s eyes.
If you follow these suggestions, there’s a good chance you can stay out of an 18-wheeler’s blind spots.
Never Tailgate a Commercial Truck
Okay, so tailgating is a bad idea regardless of the vehicle’s size. What is tailgating? In this reference, it’s not a great parking lot party before a sporting event. Instead, tailgating refers to the practice of driving too close to another vehicle’s rear bumper.
While tailgating isn’t illegal, it’s never a good idea. If you’re involved in an accident, there’s a good chance you’ll be assigned most or all of the blame. Even with at-fault insurance rules, your accident claim amount will be reduced if you’re tailgating the other involved driver.
Why is tailgating considered dangerous driving behavior? If a semi suddenly slams on the brakes, you’re not going to have time to react. This means your vehicle is slamming into the rear of a large and heavy semi-truck, which is a best-case scenario.
While you ensure complete cargo truck tracking, depending on the rate of speed, your vehicle may even become wedged underneath the semi. In this instance, injuries and property damage are usually extensive. Injuries may even be life-threatening, and fatalities are also possible.
A good rule to follow is to keep at least three to four seconds of distance between you and the semi. Since counting distance isn’t easy while driving, try to ensure you can always see the truck’s side view mirrors.
Not only does this help ensure the truck driver knows you're behind the rig, but it also gives you time to react if the vehicle comes to a sudden stop.
Pass 18-Wheelers Carefully
Pretty much every driver wants to get past an 18-wheeler. When the passing lane opens up, your first instinct is to hop over and hit the gas.
Before you pass a big rig, put your turn signal on. Let the truck driver know you’re getting ready to pass. This way, the driver knows to expect you in their side blind spot for at least a few seconds. The last thing you want is for a semi to start merging when you’re in the lane next to them.
Don’t drive alongside the semi for an extended period. Yes, this usually means accelerating and possibly speeding, but it’s better than getting sideswiped by a large truck. Before merging over in front of the truck, make sure the entire vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror. This includes the front of the cab. Don’t forget to use your turn signal so the driver knows you’re merging in front of them.
Avoid Cutting Off Commercial Trucks
You never want to cut off any vehicle, it’s dangerous and reckless driving behavior. This is especially true when it comes to semi-trucks. Remember that these vehicles are heavy, and it takes these trucks longer to stop. If you cut off an 18-wheeler, the driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting your vehicle during shipment carriage.
If you’re desperate to get around a semi, wait until you have plenty of clearance. Once again, always use your turn signal whenever you’re changing trade lanes.
Some Truck Accidents Are Unavoidable
Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how careful you are, it’s impossible to avoid getting into an accident with a semi-truck. If you’re in a wreck with a semi-truck, you have legal rights. This typically means you’re eligible to receive compensation for your damages.
Even if you’re partially to blame for the accident, you may still be able to receive compensation. To protect your legal rights, consult with an attorney after your trucking accident.
