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Things you can do to prevent an accident with a truck

On Behalf of | Jan 6, 2020 | firm news |

When sharing the road with commercial trucks, there are several key steps you must take to maintain a high level of safety. With the appropriate level of caution, you’ll feel better about your ability to prevent an accident that could result in serious injury, death and extensive property damage.

Here are five things you can do:

  • Don’t drive aggressively: Even if you’re driving in close proximity to an aggressive trucker, don’t assume that you have to adjust your style accordingly. Remain defensive at all times, as it’s the best way to protect against trouble.
  • Stay in your lane: Don’t make it a habit to change lanes too often, as doing so is a common cause of highway truck accidents. Know where you need to be and stay there for as long as possible. Generally speaking, try to avoid the left lane unless you’re passing another vehicle.
  • Use your turn signals: Give those around you, including truckers, a clear idea of the turn or lane change you want to make, as far in advance as possible. Using your turn signals is not optional, it’s the law.
  • Avoid blind spots: Commercial trucks have many blind spots, including the area directly behind and next to the vehicle. You can’t avoid these spots entirely, but you shouldn’t spend an excess amount of time here. If a trucker doesn’t know you’re in their blind spot, the chance of them causing a crash is much greater.
  • Keep your distance: For instance, if you spot a trucker who is texting, let them drive up the road ahead or safely put them in your rear view mirror. Either way, when you create distance, you lessen the likelihood of an accident.

These types of tips don’t guarantee your safety, but they’ll definitely give you more confidence when you’re driving around large trucks.

If a mistake by a trucker causes a crash, immediately assess the situation with your safety in mind. It’s ideal to move to the side of the road, call 911 and administer first aid.

While your health and recovery are top priority, so is filing an insurance claim and learning about the many ways to obtain compensation.

 

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