To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils
The last thing you want to do as you are commuting to work or vacation is get into a collision with a commercial vehicle that could weigh as much as 40 tons fully loaded. But understanding how to protect yourself from a trucking accident may be confusing to many of our clients.
Executing a series of potentially lifesaving maneuvers requires a whole set of defensive driving skills. Our truck collision attorneys have some advice to help you take actionable steps to get home safely while ensuring your legal rights are protected if a crash occurs.
Statistics show that the most dangerous period for truck activity is between noon and 3 p.m., as well as 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday is the busiest day for shipping, while alcohol use contributes to more crashes on the weekend.
Additionally, rural areas like West Virginia tend to see more crashes because of higher speed limits and fewer cars which can lull drivers into a sense of security.
Maintaining a safe driving distance behind a commercial truck may prevent catastrophic injuries. Always maintain a five-second following distance when driving in good weather and increase that timeframe to eight seconds in adverse conditions. Whether you are driving in rain, snow, icy conditions, or on poorly maintained roads, it would help you react faster to abrupt stops or sudden moves, prevent rear-end collisions, and allow for the heavy, commercial vehicles’ longer braking times.
Use the time-distance method to determine your following distance. When the truck passes a fixed object, like a sign or a tree, the goal is to count at least four seconds before passing the same spot. If in doubt, you know you are probably following too closely if you cannot see the truck’s side mirrors.
A semi truck has much larger blind spots then a car or SUV. You can expect a 20-foot front and 30-foot rear “no zone” if you want to protect yourself from a collision. To prevent being crushed or involved in underride accidents, always ensure you can see the driver’s face in their side mirror, pass quickly on the left, and never cut directly in front of the trucker. You also want to avoid lingering beside the trailer, as the largest blind spots are on the right side and directly behind the vehicle.
Following safety rules does more than keep you safe; it could help you avoid being found at fault for a collision, while potentially reducing your financial liability. Acting properly after an accident by gathering evidence, taking photos, and contacting police, also helps set up your claim for success. Whether you are entitled to collect compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain or suffering, trucking accidents often lead to severe, long-term harm or disability.
Protecting yourself from a possible trucking accident is just the first step. If you do end up getting into a collision, you need sound legal advice from a trusted Personal Injury law firm.
Take advantage of the skills and experience of the largest female-founded law firm in the country now and set up a time for your free consultation to discuss the next steps in your trucking accident claim.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
