How To Avoid Truck Accidents (For Passenger Car Drivers)
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most people who die in large truck accidents are passenger vehicle occupants. If you compare the size and weight of trucks to the size and weight of passenger vehicles, it is understandable why this is the case. Large trucks weigh around twenty to thirty times as much as passenger vehicles.
Fortunately, truck accidents are preventable. In fact, most truck accidents that occur on Florida roads are preventable. Below, we will look at some of the preventive measures passenger car drivers can take to ensure safety.
Leave Enough Space
As a passenger car driver, you must avoid being too close to a truck. You can give a truck more space by;
- Maintaining a following distance behind a truck of at least four seconds
- Giving trucks plenty of space when they are turning. Trucks need more space to turn than passenger cars.
Therefore, ensure you have enough room to pass a truck whenever you want to overtake. If you cannot overtake a truck with plenty of space, avoid cutting in front of the truck and stay in your lane.
Keep Off a Truck’s Blind Spots
Driving in a truck’s blind spots is dangerous. When a truck driver does not know that a passenger car driver is driving alongside them, they may decide to make a maneuver that might end up resulting in a crash between their truck and the passenger car. Generally, trucks have a much wider blind spot on the passenger’s side. So, for instance, if you want to pass a truck, it is safer for you to pass it on the driver’s side.
If possible, when driving on the same road as a truck, stay out of, among others, the following areas;
- 20 feet directly in front of the truck’s cab
- 30 feet directly behind the truck’s trailer
- The lane on the truck driver’s side going back about half of the trailer’s length
- Immediately behind and below the truck driver’s window
Give Clear Signals
Before you change lanes, overtake, or turn when near a truck, make sure you give clear signals so that the truck driver can see what you intend to do. As much as you need to be predictable in any driving situation, it is especially crucial for you to be predictable when driving near a truck.
Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving increases your chances of being in a truck accident. So, when driving, avoid acts that take your mind and eyes off the road and your hands off the steering wheel. Remember, distracted driving also includes drowsy driving; therefore, avoid getting into the driver’s seat if you haven’t had enough rest or sleep.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Unfortunately, even after a passenger car driver does all they can to avoid a truck accident, another party’s negligence can end up causing them serious harm. If you’ve been seriously hurt in a Florida truck accident because of another party’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. Our experienced Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you hold an at-fault party accountable and obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Tampa, Ocala, Orlando, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, and West Palm Beach areas.
Resource:
iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/large-trucks