Large commercial trucks have the potential to cause significant harm when they are involved in collisions. Thus, it’s very important for all motorists to exercise caution when driving in the vicinity of large trucks.
Tips to keep in mind when driving near a truck include the following:
Know Where a Truck’s Blind Spot Is
Commercial trucks can have relatively large blind spots which may prevent an operator from knowing a smaller vehicle is nearby. The blind spots of most trucks consist of:
- The spot in the immediate front of the truck
- The spot immediately behind the truck
- The sides of a truck, particularly on the right
To the best of your ability, do not linger in a truck’s blind spots. Never drive too closely behind a truck, don’t cut directly in front of a truck after passing one, and always try to pass a truck fairly quickly and safely.
Be Careful When Merging
It’s critical to understand that stopping a heavy commercial truck is not as easy as stopping a car. Consider this when merging onto a highway when a truck is present in the lane you’re trying to enter.
If you merge in front of a truck but haven’t reached the speed that would keep you moving with the flow of a traffic, a truck could collide with your vehicle from behind, as the operator may not be able to reduce their speed in time to avoid hitting you.
Exercise Patience
There may be instances when you’re caught driving behind a large tuck, and need to remain patient accordingly. For example, perhaps you’re driving behind a truck on a road where it is difficult to maintain a consistent speed in such a large vehicle.
This can be a frustrating experience if you’re on a tight schedule. However, it’s important to stay calm and not become aggressive in these circumstances. You don’t want to lose your temper and cause a road rage accident.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that truck operators often need to reduce their speed when driving in rainy or snowy conditions. If you’re driving near a truck in harsh weather, you should anticipate this.
Leave Room for Turns
If you’re approaching a red light and you can see that a large truck is making a turn from the intersecting road onto your road, make sure the truck has enough room to make a wide turn. This means stopping further back from the red light than you normally would.
Additionally, you should never try to squeeze by a truck making a wide turn, as doing so could create a very dangerous situation.
A Lawyer Can Help After a Truck Accident
Applying the tips here will reduce your odds of being harmed in a truck accident. Unfortunately, there’s no way to absolutely guarantee you’ll never be injured in an accident involving a large commercial truck. Such an accident could occur if, for example, a truck driver is negligent.
Have you been hurt in a truck accident resulting from someone else’s negligence in Washington State? If so, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Review your case with a truck accident attorney at Russell & Hill for more information. Get started by calling us at 800-529-0842.