Every day, passenger vehicle drivers, motorcyclists, truckers and others share the roads. Unfortunately, however, collisions involving these different types and sizes of vehicles often occur. When tractor-trailers crash with other autos, it commonly results in serious injuries or death.
Using the following tips when sharing the road with large commercial vehicles may help drivers avoid crashing, protecting themselves and their passengers from serious injuries.
Stay out of the no-zones
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, tractor-trailers have large blind spots behind them, to their fronts and along both sides. Consequently, truckers may struggle to see vehicles in an up to 200-feet area to the rear, up to 20-feet in the front or on either side. To help avoid potentially serious collisions, drivers should take care to stay out of these no-zones as much as possible. If they must enter a truck’s blind spot, people ought to move through the area as quickly and safely as possible.
Allow a space cushion
Tailgating behind large trucks may pose an even greater risk than following too closely behind other vehicles. In the event of a crash, vehicles too close to tractor-trailers may slide underneath them, which may result in more serious injuries for the auto occupants. When following behind a large truck, then, drivers should leave a two-second distance behind their vehicle and the autos in front of them.
Use care when passing
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, people must use care when passing large trucks on the road. To ensure truckers see their vehicles, drivers should pass safely, smoothly and promptly. Drivers ought to refrain from passing from the right side, and they should make sure they have enough time and clear road in front of them to complete their pass without cutting back in too close. Taking such precautions may help prevent some serious sideswipe or rear-end wrecks.
Crashing with tractor-trailers may leave drivers, their passengers or others seriously injured. While it cannot eliminate their pain and suffering, options exist for those injured by the negligence or carelessness of others to recover compensation for their accident-associated losses.
