Safe Driving Tips For Avoiding Semi Truck Accidents

When trucking companies and truck drivers are negligent or careless, the effects can be severe.

Commercial tractor trailers are governed by both state and federal laws. Because there are so many factors at play like past, present and current laws and precedents, if you are in an accident with a semi truck, you must find a personal injury attorney who has significant experience handling truck accident cases. Truck accidents are not like regular car accidents, and failing to find the right attorney who understands the intricacies of the issues involved, will negatively impact your case.

When trucking companies and truck drivers are negligent or careless, the effects can be severe. Truck drivers have the advantage of size, meaning that an accident is far more likely to result in catastrophic injury or death for those in passenger vehicles, not the truck driver or his/her passengers.

Most drivers encounter multiple semi trucks every day on a daily commute. At the very least, several times a week. If you are a frequent highway driver, you are probably very accustomed to sharing the road with these huge vehicles. Every driver should learn a little more about semis and other big commercial transport vehicles, in order to better understand how and why these accidents happen. Becoming extra conscious of these vehicles and the common causes of accidents can actually help you avoid being involved in a serious accident with a tractor trailer.

Instead of assuming that tractor trailer accidents happen infrequently and by being a good driver you can avoid these accidents altogether, learn a little more about how and why tractor trailer accidents occur. Because the reality is that accidents do happen often, and good drivers can be in the wrong place at the wrong time and the consequences can be devastating or even deadly.

Truck accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Some common causes are driver fatigue, a driver’s unfamiliarity with a new route, intoxicated drivers, improperly loaded trailers, and mechanical problems. As a driver sharing a road with these trucks, it is nearly impossible to predict when an accident will happen, but you can do your best to minimize chances of being involved in an accident with one of these vehicles.

Tips for Safely Sharing the Roads With Semi Trucks

Wear a seat belt. One of the best and easiest ways to protect yourself and your family is to make sure that everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported data several years ago that showed over 50 percent of passengers who who were killed in fatal auto accidents were not wearing seat belts.

Stay out of blind spots and keep a safe distance. Another strategy for sharing the road safely with semis is to give them a wide berth. Keep a safe distance from these huge vehicles and stay out of their “No Zones,” which are the vehicle’s blind spots. Because of their huge size, they obviously have a difficult time stopping quickly. If there were an accident and the truck had to stop quickly, it would most likely veer sideways (sometimes this can cause the truck to roll), endangering vehicles to either side of the truck, as well as in front of and behind. It is not possible to avoid trucks altogether, but minimizing the time you spend in close proximity is smart.

Take weather and road conditions into consideration. Another factor that comes into play and can easily cause an accident is when truck drivers do not take weather conditions into consideration and adjust their driving accordingly. A Large Truck Crash Causation Study reported that 23% of large truck accidents were caused when drivers were traveling too fast given the road conditions. You should also be aware of road conditions, construction, etc., so that you can plan when to merge, if there are stop lights or train tracks ahead, so that you will not be surprised by a truck driver’s actions.

Be extra vigilant. Truck drivers are in control of these huge vehicles that are potentially deadly. But because you cannot predict the actions of the vehicle or what condition the driver is in, all you can do is increase your own awareness and step up your defensive driving. When driving near these trucks you should always be hyper vigilant.

St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers

When truck drivers and trucking companies violate safety regulations because it is simply more convenient for them, innocent people can die or be seriously injured. Drivers should protect themselves by practicing defensive driving, educating themselves about semi tractors, and by holding truck drivers/trucking companies responsible for their negligent behavior when it causes an accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, contact the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm immediately. We have earned a reputation for taking on the most complicated truck accident cases and achieving success for our clients. Although monetary compensation can never return a person’s health or erase the lasting effects of a catastrophic injury, it can alleviate many of the day-to-day problems confronted by truck accident victims and their families.

Call us today at (314) 588-7200.

photo credit: Asbestos Bill