How to Reduce Commercial Truck Accidents on the Roadways
Michael Babboni
Trucking Accidents
Commercial truck accidents are quite common on today's roadways, unfortunately. As drivers, we want to educate ourselves on what we can do to minimize our risk of being involved in these types of accidents while reducing the number of commercial truck accidents we see on our roadways.But first, let's take a look at some of the more common causes of these kinds of auto and truck accidents.
• Loss of control. Tire blowouts, for example, can cause the truck driver to lose control over the vehicle and cause an accident.
• Speeding. When you travel to fast, there are hazardous road conditions, or the weather is poor, these are all factors that can cause a commercial truck accident.
• Driving while fatigued. Many truck drivers drive long hours during the day, and that is why there are safety precautions in place and regulations when it comes to the number of hours they can drive before they have to break. However, some still get fatigued, and this can have serious consequences.
• Improper maneuvering. If the truck is making a turn or passing through an intersection, it can sometimes be difficult to maneuver if it is a tight space. There may also be drastically reduced visibility.
• Distracted driving. This is one of the leading causes of auto accidents overall. Whether the driver is eating, talking, or texting, these are all instances in which they are distracted, and their attention is not on the road where it needs to be.
Avoiding Commercial Truck Accidents
Now that you know what some of the more common causes of truck accidents are, let's take a closer look at what we can do to help avoid them and stay safe on the roadways.
Respect the Following Distance
There should always be adequate space between the truck and the vehicle you are driving when following. When you drive too closely behind larger commercial vehicles, you lose visibility and cannot see the road ahead of you. When following too closely, you may fail to see any road hazards there are, including any obstacles, traffic, and poor road conditions.
Always Maintain Visibility
Did you know that trucks have a much larger blind spot than regular vehicles? For this reason, you should always pass a truck on its driver's side. To make sure you are visible to the truck driver, make sure you can see the truck's mirrors. You should also try to make out the driver's face. If their face is not visible, then you may be in their blind spot.
Anticipate Turns
To avoid accidents in intersections involving commercial trucks, you need to make sure they have ample room to make their turns. In order to successfully make the turn, truck drivers need to swing wide and often have to use multiple lanes in order to complete the turn. This means they have very limited rear visibility as well, so when approaching a truck making a turn, make sure to leave them with enough space and don't follow them too closely.
Avoid Distractions
Finally, one of the best things you can do to reduce and avoid commercial truck accidents on the roadways is to eliminate distractions while you drive. Distracted driving can increase your chance of being involved in an accident. So, if you are engaging in any kind of activity while driving that takes your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road, it should be avoided at all costs.
Even when you take these precautions, things can happen that can result in a commercial truck and auto accidents. If you or a loved one were injured in one of these accidents, you should seek the counsel of a personal injury lawyer because you may be entitled to compensation.