The Truck Accident Law Firm Blog

While you cannot control the actions of a dangerous truck driver, you can improve your driving habits to make sharing the road with big rigs as safe as possible. Keep in mind at all times that these vehicles were designed to carry large loads long distances, and maneuverability was a distant second priority. Their vastly increased weight means correspondingly slower acceleration and larger stopping distances—large trucks can easily require three to four times the distance a passenger vehicle would need to come to a stop from highway speeds.

Because of the sheer size difference between cars and commercial trucks, it is incumbent upon all drivers to keep several safety tips in mind.

• When driving on the highway, never pass a large truck on the right. Their blind spots are much bigger on the right, and they are less likely to expect someone to be passing.
• Do not linger when passing a large truck. If you drive side-by-side with a tractor trailer, your presence makes it impossible for the driver to take evasive action against approaching obstacles, which can result in devastating accidents.
• Never cut off a truck on the highway or at intersections. Again remember that large trucks need much greater time to stop than passenger vehicles—the truck driver may not be able to make up for a miscalculation on your part.
• When in doubt, wait it out: if you see a large truck approaching while stopped at an intersection, and are not sure if you can make it through or not, just wait it out. Large trucks can often appear to be moving slower than they are because of their sheer size, and many accidents are caused because drivers thought they had more time than they did.
• Always use your turn signals, especially around large trucks. And if there is any inclement weather, use your headlights. The more visible you are, the better, plus, it may save you a ticket. In New York (as in many other states) it is illegal to use your windshield wipers without turning on your headlights—if the weather’s bad enough to need to clear the windshield, it is bad enough to turn on your lights.

If a loved one has died in a truck accident, or if you have been hurt in a truck accident, please contact an experienced truck accident lawyer in your area today.

If you are involved in an accident with a large truck, keep safety in mind above all else. Truck accidents, even those that appear minor, can create very dangerous situations. Depending on the load, the contents of the truck may be unsettled or flammable, the truck may be obstructing traffic, or other hidden dangers may lurk. But stay calm: a cool head and an awareness of your surroundings are your best allies in this situation.

Survey the area. As quickly as possible, take a mental note of the situation. Move other passengers only if it is necessary to prevent their further injury.

Call the police. File a report immediately, even in the case of a relatively minor incident. Be prepared to give as much detail as possible so the appropriate emergency services may be notified.

Document the scene. Assuming the accident scene is safe enough to do so, document as much as you can about what happened. Pay particular attention to the following:

• The exact location of the accident
• Any injuries suffered by those in your vehicle
• Extent of damage done to vehicle
• Information (Name, address, phone number, email, and insurance information) from all parties involved in the accident:
• Other drivers
• All owners of the vehicles (if different than the driver, which is often the case with large trucks)
• All witnesses

If you have a camera, take as many pictures as possible. In addition to photographing the items discussed above, photograph the road conditions, and if there are skid marks, photograph those as well.

If you were hurt in a truck accident, please contact a truck accident lawyer in your area today.