A Few Tips For Sharing The Road With Semi-Trucks

There isn’t much we can do about how other people drive. There are steps that we can take as drivers, however, that can help reduce our chances of being involved in a collision. This is especially important when it comes to sharing the road with large commercial vehicles, which due to their size, pose serious risks to motorists. We also recognize, however, that even the most careful of drivers could end up being injured in an accident through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one have found yourself in this situation and need help exploring your legal options, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our dedicated Maitland truck accident attorneys today.

Keep an Eye Out for Blind Spots

Like passenger vehicles, commercial trucks have blind spots. The blind spots on semi-trucks, however, are particularly large, extending to about 20-30 feet in front of and behind the vehicle. Both sides also have blind spots that are often as large as the length of the cab and half of the trailer. Other drivers who are sharing the road with semi-trucks should always keep these blind spots in mind.

Keep a Safe Following Distance

Weighing up to 80,000 pounds and often carrying heavy cargo, commercial vehicles have a much harder time coming to a quick stop than passenger vehicles. This means that even if a truck driver brakes properly and drives with caution, a person who was tailgating that truck could end up injured in a rear-end collision. To avoid this, drivers are encouraged to leave at least four seconds between themselves and any semi-trucks traveling in front of them.

Be Prepared for Wide Turns

Semi-trucks have extremely wide turning radiuses. In fact, it is not uncommon for a semi-truck to block multiple lanes of traffic when making a turn. This can be dangerous for motorists who attempt to pass the truck on its other side. To avoid an accident, drivers should avoid passing a truck while it is turning and also be sure to leave space between their own vehicles and semi-trucks to avoid unknowingly ending up in the latter’s path.

Change Lanes Safely

Changing lanes can be dangerous, even when all of the vehicles in the vicinity are passenger-sized. Passing semi-trucks is even more dangerous, mostly due to the large blind spots on these kinds of vehicles. When attempting to pass, drivers should remember to:

• Check whether they can see their vehicle in the truck’s side-mirror;
• Use their turn signal to alert nearby drivers of their intent;
• Pass the truck quickly, so as to avoid spending too much time in the vehicle’s blind spots; and
• Ensure that the entire truck is visible in their rearview mirror before returning to the lane.

Taking these steps, while they don’t guarantee that a person won’t be involved in a car accident, can go a long way towards reducing someone’s chances of causing such a collision.

Contact an Attorney After a Florida Truck Accident

To learn more about your legal options following a truck accident, please call 407-960-1900 and set up a meeting with one of the experienced Maitland lawyers at Goldman Law, P.A. today.

Resource:

fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/large-blind-spots