Due to the mammoth power and size of commercial trucks, they can be particularly dangerous on road. Whenever a vehicle of this huge size collides with a smaller vehicle like a passenger car or a motorcycle, the result can be devastating. This is why it is important for the drivers of smaller vehicles to know the tips to drive safely around trucks in order to avoid critical injuries.
A qualified truck accident lawyer in OC is aware of the disastrous impact of a truck accident. There are many such lawyers who have represented clients who suffered from life-changing injuries like amputations, paralysis, and spinal cord injuries from truck accidents. If you want to know how to avoid such accidents, here is a list that you should consider.
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Don’t drive a truck when you are tired
This is one of the most important tips for the trucker as a fatigued truck driver is equal to a driver under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance. Truckers often work long hours without any sleep. Many often take short naps which are not enough to restore their bodies and bring them back to their optimal functioning level. According to a federal study that was done on 80 truck drivers over 7500 hours of truck driving, it was found that the average only had four hours of sleep in a day.
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Be careful while passing a truck
Whenever you pass a commercial truck, be extra careful. You have to remember the fact that large trucks can’t stop as quickly as other vehicles. They need additional time to react and lower their speed. Hence you should make it a point to not pass a truck while going downhill or uphill since the truck will naturally increase or decrease its speed. Don’t merge into the lane in front of the truck unless you can clearly see the driver in your rearview mirror.
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Stay away from blind spots
Commercial trucks usually have more blind spots than other vehicles. While driving around a commercial truck, try to stay out of a few areas because those might be tough for the drivers to see. Stay at least 30 feet behind the truck and 20 feet in front of the truck and try to keep two lanes wide distance on the right side of the truck.
Once you start following the precautionary tips to avoid road accidents with trucks, you can incorporate the habit of driving carefully around commercial trailers. In spite of following the tips, if you still meet with an accident, feel free to discuss things with a truck accident attorney.
