Driving behind or alongside a large semi-truck can result in serious anxiety. You know that your vehicle is no match for a huge truck should a collision occur. Indeed, most truck accidents result in catastrophic, sometimes fatal, injuries. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to throw caution to the wind and hope that fate will smile upon you. You can take safety measures to help make our shared roadways a safer place to be.
1. Be aware of blind spots
There are significant blind spots on all four sides of a semi-truck. A general rule of thumb is that if you can’t see the truck’s side mirrors, you should assume that the truck driver can’t see you. Try not to linger in a truck’s blind spot. Either reduce your speed or safely pull ahead to a point where the driver should be able to view your vehicle.
2. If you need to pass, do so safely
If you decide to pass a truck, you should do so as safely as possible. Only pass on the left. Be sure that you can see the driver in the driver’s side mirror. Signal your lane change and move swiftly but safely. As mentioned above, you want to avoid hanging out in a blind spot. Be sure the entire front of the truck is visible in your rearview mirror before you move back into the right lane.
3. Give large vehicles plenty of space
Don’t cut-off a truck. It takes large vehicles a lot more time to stop than it does a passenger vehicle. Even if you make your vehicle visible, you still might not give the driver enough time to safely hit the brakes if necessary.
4. Take a moment
We all want to get to our destinations quickly, but taking unnecessary risks means you may never make it to your destination at all. It can be frustrating to find yourself behind a truck that is going slower than you would like. However, it’s important to be patient. Remember that some trucks have speed limiters. Drivers who are carrying especially heavy loads will take longer to accelerate. Take a moment. An opportunity to pass safely will open eventually.
Despite taking all reasonable safety precautions, accidents will still happen. When they do, you should discuss your options with a skilled legal professional. Together, you can pursue the compensation you need to begin moving forward with your life.
