I don’t know about you, but I dislike the feeling I drive around a large truck. Whenever I am driving along the freeway, I try and avoid being right next to a semi-truck. Perhaps this is an irrational fear, but I have a different viewpoint. As a Salt Lake City attorney, I have been representing those injured by commercial trucks for years. These accidents usually have large injuries associated with them, and unfortunately, can result in death. You can do things to help reduce the risk of being involved in an accident, however.
Safety recommendations when driving around a truck
Truck drivers have many blind spots. As a driver in a passenger vehicle, you want to get out of those blind spots as quickly as possible. A good rule of thumb is to remember that if you cannot see the truck driver’s face, they can probably not see you either.
Pass on the appropriate side
Whenever you pass a truck driver, always try to do so on the left-hand side. You should do your best to get around the truck as quickly as possible without driving too fast. As a responsible driver, you should be able to get out of the driver’s blind spot without speeding or endangering anyone else.
Remember how long it takes trucks to stop.
Do not cut a truck off to try and get ahead of them. You should never put your vehicle less than 20 feet in front of a truck; there is a large blind spot directly in front of a tractor-trailer due to their large hood. Trucks take 40 percent longer than normal vehicles to stop entirely. If their driver cannot see your car, they are also likely to speed up and read-end you because they are not aware you are in front of them.
Don’t tailgate an 18 wheeler.
It is dangerous to drive closer than 30 feet behind a semi-truck. Most vehicles are not large enough to see anything directly behind a large truck. This causes you to experience a lapse in vision, including traffic lights, sudden stops, or other dangerous items that require you to stop quickly. It is also important to remember that large trucks tend to kick up many debris and rocks. Staying further than 30 feet back will ensure your vehicle does not suffer from damage due to these materials.
What to do should if you’re involved in a truck accident?
Even if you drive as safely as possible around trucks, accidents can and will happen. This is especially true if the truck driver was irresponsibly operating their vehicle. The attorneys at The Ault Firm can help you get the compensation you deserve for medical bills. Call our office at (801) 839-4411 to speak with a truck accident attorney today.
