Trucks are massive, and they take a lot longer to stop than cars. That’s why drivers and passengers in regular vehicles, bicyclists, motorcycle riders and pedestrians are all vulnerable to the ravages of truck accidents. In a recent year, over 5000 people died in crashes involving trucks, and about 130,000 people are injured in these accidents annually.
Staying Safe Around Trucks
You can help protect yourself by always being on the lookout for trucks when you are driving. Stay alert when you are around trucks and try to avoid them as much as possible when you are on the road. The following tips will help drivers stay safe:
- Watch out for blind spots. These are areas where a driver cannot see you. Trucks have large blind spots on all four sides that you want to avoid as much as possible. Be cautious whenever you pass a truck. It’s safer to pass them on the driver side because the blind spot on the passenger side extremely large.
- Don’t tailgate. Driving behind a truck can be dangerous because you have limited visibility, so you can’t see hazards as the develop down the road. When a truck stops suddenly, drivers can become caught underneath. Known as an underride accident collision, this in one of the most dangerous types of truck collisions for automobile drivers. Trucks have guardrails to prevent cars from underriding, but this safety feature occasionally fails to protect drivers.
- Avoid driving directly in front of trucks. Because truck have are so heavy, their stopping time is much longer than regular passenger vehicles. A normal passenger vehicle traveling at 65mph takes about 300 feet to stop, but a fully loaded truck requires over 500 feet.
- Anticipate wide turns. Trucks turn much more gradually than automobiles and they need more room. They often require two lanes to complete a turn, swinging left before they make a right turn. That’s why you always want to watch out for a truck’s turning signals and avoid trucks when they are turning. Also, make sure not to get stuck between a truck and the curb when they are making a right turn.
- Be predictable. Signal all lane changes in advance and allow other drivers time to react to lane changes and merges you choose to make.
- Be even more careful in bad weather. Rain, ice, fog, and snow reduce visibility and they increase stopping time for all vehicles. Slow down as much as you have to when driving in these conditions.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The full weight of a semi-tractor and its cargo can be up to 80,000 lbs. That creates a tremendous amount of impact when a truck crashes into a regular passenger car. Truck collisions can be devastating for pedestrians and people on motorcycles who don’t have seatbelts and airbags to protect them. Common injuries and other consequences of truck accidents include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Head and brain injuries (TBI)
- Fractured bones
- Loss of Limb
- Back and neck injuries
- Organ damage
- Cuts and bruises
- Wrongful death
Have You Been Injured by a Negligent Truck Driver?
If you or a loved on has been hurt or killed in an accident caused by a truck driver, you will want to contact a personal injury lawyer before you accept any offers from the insurance company. Insurance companies make their money by paying out as little in claims as possible. In many cases, they offer lowball settlements that won’t even cover the cost of your medical care.
Your personal injury attorney will investigate the cause of your accident to determine liability. Then they will file a claim to cover your cost of treatment, including emergency room service, ambulance transport, doctor’s office visits, physical therapy, loss of income, and more.
We’re Here to Help
At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C, we know how to take on the big insurance companies and win. We will fight to get you a fair settlement that will help you take control of you future and get your life back in order after an accident. Call (719) 475-2555 today to schedule you FREE consultation. We’re on your side.