There were over 475,000 large truck accidents in 2016, which represented a 45% increase over the numbers from just three years prior! Tens of thousands of deaths have resulted from these crashes, and hundreds of thousands of injuries. Safe driving practices need to improve,Ā and truckers, drivers, and our communities need to work together to make better choices on the road. Fortunately, there are some proven methods of reducing truck crash rates. Read on to find out more about what drivers of all types of vehicles can do to prevent truck accidents and what to do if things still go wrong and there is a collision.Ā Ā
After aĀ seriousĀ truck accident, an engaging and expertĀ attorney isĀ an enormous help.Ā You may be dealing withĀ serious injuries, lost time at work, car repairs or replacement, or even theĀ wrongful deathĀ of a loved one. While you take care of yourself and your family, leave the work of dealing with insurance claims and fighting the trucking companies to specialized truck accident attorneys.Ā Ryan āThe Lionā ThompsonĀ has won overĀ $1.8 billionĀ in settlements for his clients, and his team of experts is standing by 24/7/365 to take your call and get to work for you.Ā
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What Trucks Should do to be SaferĀ
When truckers are driving safely,Ā practicing defensive driving,Ā and acting courteously to cars sharing the road,Ā the large size and power of these vehicles can have a big impact onĀ the safety of ourĀ roadways.Ā TheĀ American Trucking AssociationĀ setsĀ a goal ofĀ ādeveloping and advocating innovative, research-based policies thatĀ promote highway safety, security, environmental sustainability, and profitability.āĀ Ā
With this goal of promoting highway safety in mind, there are a number of practices that drivers should incorporate into their habits while traversing our nationās roads. There are also a variety of behaviors and choices to avoid. With this good judgment on the part of our nationās truck drivers, we will finally standĀ aĀ chance of reaching our goals to reduce and eliminate road traffic accidentsĀ involving semi-trucks.Ā Ā
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Do’sĀ | Dont’s |
Do drive courteously, communicating with other drivers | Don’t tailgate cars |
Do properly balance cargo | Don’t overload cargo in the trailer |
Do drive cautiously, at legal speed or less | Don’t speed |
Do take breaks to maintain focus and combat exhaustion | Don’t drive while tired |
Do focus on the road | Don’t text and drive or distracted drive |
What you CanĀ Do toĀ DriveĀ SafelyĀ AroundĀ TrucksĀ
72% of car andĀ large truckĀ accidents are actually caused by cars, so there are definitely some preventative measures thatĀ drivers can be taking every day to help lower truck crash statistics. ManyĀ safety habitsĀ that we would encourageĀ truckĀ drivers to practiceĀ are also applicable to drivers of cars. However, there are also some habits uniquely important forĀ smaller vehicle operators toĀ employ whenĀ driving around large trucks and 18 wheelers.Ā Ā
Donāt TailgateĀ āĀ Just like you donāt want an 18 wheeler bearing down on you, donātĀ do this to large trucks either. On top of contributing to the danger of crashing with sudden stops, you are also in one of the truckās blind spots this way. Trucks canāt drive safely near you if they donāt know you are there. Ā
AvoidĀ BlindĀ SpotsĀ āĀ In addition to the rear blind spot, there are three additional sizeable blind spots as illustrated here. 20 ft in front of the truck, 30ft behind, a large portion of the lane to the driverās side, and an even larger portion of the two lanes to the passenger side of the truck are not in view for the truck driver. Do not linger in these areas ā pass quickly and always remember turn signals when you are in visible zones.Ā Ā
DonātĀ Stop SuddenlyĀ āĀ At 60mph,Ā itĀ takesĀ a length ofĀ over 3Ā football fields for a loaded tractor trailer to come to a full stop. If you cut in front of a loaded semi and slam on the brakes, the truck simply cannot stop as fast as you.Ā
AvoidĀ TireĀ BlowĀ Outs ā Trucks are particularly susceptible to tire blow outs, because these accidents are often caused by overloading and underinflation. Heavy trucks traveling long haul through different climates are more exposed to these tire-stress factors. May through October is the time period where most blow outs occur but be watchful year-round for flying debris.Ā Ā
Give theĀ Right ofĀ WayĀ āĀ Rather than speeding to make it in front of a truck every time you merge,Ā leave room for trucks. Smaller cars are much more agile toĀ smoothly join a lane orĀ change position by passing after aĀ difficultĀ merging zone.Ā Ā
WatchĀ Out forĀ DriftingĀ āĀ Truck drivers who spend long stretches on open road and have hefty mileage and hours requirements to meet in their delivery schedules. FatigueĀ isĀ a danger of the trade so be watchful of drifting trucks that may signifyĀ its driver is drifting off to sleep.Ā
LeaveĀ Room forĀ WideĀ TurnsĀ āĀ The long trailers on trucks need more space to turn, so take care when you notice truckās blinkers come on, do not pass a truck when its turn lights are flashing, and stop behind the lines at intersections. These guidelines are to help provide enough space for turns around the intersection corners, and large trucks may need even more room than they designate.Ā
PassĀ QuicklyĀ āĀ When you do pass a trailer,Ā moveĀ alongĀ as quickly as is safe. DonātĀ linger next to the sidewall of the trailerĀ where you are inĀ the truckās blindĀ spot.Ā A good rule of thumb is to merge in front of a truck when you can see its cab in your rearview mirror.Ā Ā
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What to do AfterĀ an 18 Wheeler AccidentĀ
Sadly, even with the best-laid plans and most careful driving,Ā 18 wheelerĀ accidents do still occur. Aside from freak accidents, people do drive negligently despite knowing better. The fact remains that truck accidents do occur, and trucks presentĀ aĀ special danger for accident and injury.Ā Ā
After any accident it is important to get aĀ reliable record of the event, preferably with police documentation. This is especially true with trucking accidents where company or corporations may be involved. Truckers and their employing companies are practiced in defending themselves after an accident, so you need to take care of yourself and be cautious to defend your own interests and concerns as well.Ā Ā
Here are the steps you should take after a truck accident:Ā
Call theĀ AuthoritiesĀ ā be sure to get a detailedĀ police reportĀ andĀ take photosĀ of the scene while you wait for the police to arrive.Ā Ā
GetĀ CheckedĀ OutĀ āĀ If an ambulance arrives at the scene, cooperate with Emergency Medical Service (EMS) professionals, and only leave the scene if they clear you to do so. The size and weight of these vehicles can frequently cause serious impact injuries, and the magnitude of the crash may leave you in shock or with an adrenaline rush that masks the symptoms of an injury. For these reasons,Ā delayed onset injuriesĀ are common with truck accidents.Ā Ā
SeekĀ MedicalĀ CareĀ āĀ If an ambulance does not come to the scene, we strongly recommend that you seek medical advice in another way. Whether it is a trip to the emergency room straight from the accident, or a visit to your doctor the next day, the best thing you can do for your body after an impact injury is get checked by a medical professional.Ā
Call an 18Ā WheelerĀ AccidentĀ AttorneyĀ ā for advice on your claim and case options and guidance on your continued treatment plan, consult an expert accident attorney like Thompson Law. Take the guesswork out of the insurance process after an accident, and take comfort knowing that Ryan Thompson and his outstanding team have your back.Ā Ā
DO NOTĀ ā make any statements after the accident to insurance adjusters, the truck driver and his or her representatives, or any other parties connected to the incident.Ā You can call your lawyer from the accident site for advice if you are being questioned and would like legal help.Ā Ā
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Call 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney Thompson Law TodayĀ
While there may be someĀ pretty cool technologiesĀ on the horizon to helpĀ reduceĀ the rate of truck accidents, sticking with tried-and-true defensive driving techniques is a great way that you can contribute to the safety of our roads right now. If things go wrong and you are involved in an accident, know you are not alone. Unfortunately, people suffer in truck collisions every day, in fact there are over 1300 truck accidents daily in the United States alone.
Experienced accident attorneys like Ryan Thompson of Thompson Law have extensive experience squaring off against the at-fault trucking companies and the big insurance corporations when these wrecks occur. If you have been hit by anĀ 18–Ā wheelerĀ and hurt in the accident, callĀ Thompson LawĀ today. You deserve help and will benefit from expert legal guidance through the claims and case process. Ryan āThe Lionā Thompson will fight for every dollar of your deserved compensation so you can focus on your recovery.Ā