A fully-loaded, 80,000-pound tractor-trailer has the potential to do catastrophic damage to a passenger vehicle in the event of an accident.
As such, it’s in every driver’s best interest to know how to drive safely near trucks.
Give Trucks the Space They Need
The number one rule for driving near trucks is to give them a wide berth. Trucks have poor maneuverability and require a large distance to come to a complete stop. This can make them dangerous in sudden traffic conditions, and it’s why truck drivers are trained to maintain a large following distance between them and the vehicle in front of them.
You can follow the same safety practice by not following behind trucks too closely. Doing otherwise would put you in one of the truck’s four main blind spots.
Trucks have large blind spots directly in front, directly behind, and on either side of them. When your vehicle is in one of these blind spots, you are virtually invisible to the truck driver. This can lead to a catastrophic accident if the truck driver decides to change lanes when your vehicle is in one of the side blind spots.
Additionally, it’s vital that you never cut off a truck driver. Trucks need braking distances much larger than traditional vehicles and, as such, cutting off a truck can result in your vehicle being rear-ended by them. A good rule of thumb to follow is to wait until a truck is visible in your rearview mirror before changing lanes in front of them.
Injured in a Truck Accident? We’re Here to Help
Even if you follow all of these safety precautions, a truck accident may still happen. If you were injured in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, our Indianapolis attorneys are here to help. We have a strong track record of protecting the rights of the injured and we’re prepared to help you, too.
Contact Wagner Reese today at (888) 204-8440 to schedule a free consultation with our team.
