Reasons Why You Should Drive Carefully Around Trucks

Trucks are the primary mode of transport for commodities and a variety of other items. They transport around 70% of products to their final destination. The trucking business in the United States has grown in popularity over the last few decades, but with so many reckless and unskilled truck drivers on the road, accidents are going to happen. Every year, over 130,000 people are killed or injured in truck accidents. There are many reasons these accidents are so common, the major ones being the weight of such vehicles and the difficulty navigating them. Driving near trucks can be dangerous and caution should be taken when doing so. Here are some major reasons why you should drive carefully around trucks so that you can avoid accidents.

1. They Face Difficulty In Maneuvering

Because most trucks are used to transport products from one place to another, they have a high mass which can cause difficulty in maneuvering the vehicle in the event of a sudden turn. If an oncoming vehicle suddenly appears in front of a moving truck, it’s almost impossible for the driver to maneuver the vehicle to avoid the collision. Since trucks are pretty heavy, the collision isn’t one on a small scale. There’s little margin left to truck drivers for error. The smoothness of the trip is also determined by how well the products are loaded into the truck. If the items aren't loaded properly and one side outweighs the other, the truck has a far greater risk of toppling over. When driving near trucks, especially on highways, it's a good idea to stay a safe distance away.

2. They Have Larger Blind Spots

Since even small trucks are larger than your cars, they will have wider blind spots, which can make driving alongside one unsafe. Blind spots are areas that should be avoided at all costs. They're the regions where the truck driver can't see your vehicle. Slow down or pull ahead of the vehicle to get out of these blind zones. Bear in mind that if your car isn’t visible in the truck’s window mirrors, chances are that the truck driver can’t see you either. So, it’s best to move out of the way or keep some distance between the truck and your car.

If you are in an accident, it’s important to get legal representation to help you claim your deserved compensation. The most common accidents happen with 18 wheeler trucks, because of their huge size, and it’s important that you get an 18 wheeler accident attorney to prove your claim and get proper compensation. However, to avoid accidents occurring, ensure you keep your headlight intensity low so as to not impair the truck driver’s vision.

3. Truck Drivers Aren't Always Well-rested

Long hours behind the wheel, generally at unusual hours, are part of the job description for truck drivers. Because most of their shifts are at night, many truck drivers do not get enough sleep. Many of these drivers exhibit risky driving behavior and irresponsible maneuvers as a result of their lack of sleep, which is a primary cause of accidents. To avoid these incidents, it's a good idea to leave a wide turning radius when driving near trucks so that the trucks may easily maneuver without hitting your vehicle. When a turn is approaching, it's also a good idea to leave an extra lane.

4. Trucks Cannot Be Stopped As Quickly As Cars

Trucks carrying heavy cargo aren’t as easy to control as regular cars are, because of their heavy weight, it is pretty difficult to stop trucks driving at a high speed. If the driver brakes on a fast-moving truck, the chances of the truck rolling over are very high. When driving near a large truck, you’ll be tempted to pass the vehicle because of its slow speed. However, be sure that you practice safe passing, otherwise a serious accident can be caused. Since trucks need more reaction time, it’s wise to approach from the left side because that makes it easier for the driver to see you. Drive at a safe, consistent speed when passing a truck, and when merging back into the lane make sure there’s enough space behind you, otherwise you might find yourself in a messy situation. There are plenty of people that get involved in unfortunate truck accidents. In the event that you get your car damaged and you are in the process of still getting it paid off, then you need to check out your options. According to the services provided at myautoloan.com if your circumstances are trying, you can refinance your payments on an existing auto loan if need be. If you find that you’re caught in a trying situation, even though you’ve tried your best to be careful, then it’s time to seek some help from reliable sources.

Trucking accidents are not only more severe than normal vehicle collisions but also significantly more complicated. While many accidents happen every day, we should do our best to avoid them. Since most trucking accidents result in death or severe injuries, it’s better to take preventive measures rather than face the consequences. Always make sure there’s sufficient following distance between you and the truck, and that you follow all safety rules to avoid accidents.