Protecting yourself against Truck Accidents

 According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), 3,986 people died in large truck accidents in 2016. Sixty-six percent (66%) were occupants of passenger vehicles, and 16% were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists. This was an increase of 27% as compared to 2009.
What are some of the potential causes of truck accidents? First, driving too fast. It takes an eighteen-wheeler generally 40% longer to stop as compared to a passenger vehicle. This estimate could vary depending on the weight load of the truck, weather conditions, and road conditions.
Another is driving too close. If a truck driver is driving too close to the vehicle in front of him, he may not have sufficient distance to stop. Next is driver fatigue. Truck drivers must keep logs, showing their hours of operation (driving) and their off-duty hours. When a driver fails to adhere to these rules, fatigue may set in, making him a dangerous driver.
Other causes are truck driver error – failing to see a passenger vehicle in his blind spot or a pedestrian crossing the street; Truck driver distraction – using a cellphone, conversing with a passenger or being preoccupied with the radio; And load shift – failing to properly tie down the load, resulting in the load shifting during transport.
How can you best protect yourself? Make yourself visible to the truck driver. Be mindful of a truck driver’s blind spot (generally on the passenger side of the truck), and try to avoid being in the truck’s blind spot. Also, driving with your lights on in low light or hazardous conditions can help make you more visible.
Make sure you provide a truck driver with plenty of warning if you are about to merge, turn, or slow down. This will give the truck driver more time to respond. So, turn on your turn signal early or tap your brakes lightly before you begin to slow down.
Finally, remember that large trucks make excessively wide turns in both directions. So, wait until the truck has finished its entire turn before entering the intersection to complete your turn.”
For more information about The Mason Law Firm contact us at 661-476-5678 or go to www.mrscvlaw.com. Visit us at 28494 Westinghouse Place, Suite 202, Valencia.