When you drive a truck, you see the road from a different perspective. Your view is higher and your responsibilities are greater. You’re usually driving an expensive piece of machinery that can cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace in the event of damage.
A collision is bound to have even more serious implications when it involves a commercial vehicle like a tractor-trailer, semi, or delivery truck. A collision with another vehicle or roadside object could put you out of commission for weeks, if not months.
It could also put you in danger of losing your license and your job as a commercial driver. That’s why before hitting the road, you need to arm yourself with knowledge about how to avoid truck accidents and what measures to take if they happen anyway.
What You Can Do To Help Avoid Truck Accidents
First and foremost, you need to focus on your driving rather than try to control other motorists’ actions. This is the best way to avoid the majority of truck accidents. A few things you should keep in mind are:
– Ensure Everyone Can See You
– Large commercial vehicles are tough to see both during the day and at night, especially for smaller vehicles. To make sure you’re visible, keep your lights on at all times of the day and night, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
– Don’t Follow Too Closely
– Stay back at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This will give you and other drivers enough time to stop if the car in front of you suddenly comes to a halt.
– Don’t Drive When Tired Or Stressed
– Being tired or stressed out can make you more prone to making mistakes. Always take enough breaks and get enough sleep before driving long distances. If you feel stressed out, take a break from driving and try to calm down before getting back behind the wheel again.
-Don’t Assume Other Road Users See You
– This is especially true at intersections. Always assume that other drivers don’t see you and drive with extra caution. Make sure your vehicle is visible; slow down when approaching intersections, and always use turn signals.
Don’t Follow Too Closely
Following too closely is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. This is especially true while driving in heavy traffic. People tend to get impatient and follow too closely behind other vehicles so they can get ahead as soon as possible.
This can be extremely dangerous when driving a large commercial vehicle because you’re much less maneuverable than passenger vehicles. If you follow too closely behind other vehicles, you risk sideswiping them, causing them to change lanes and hit you back.
Driving too close also makes it harder for you to see the road ahead, which can make you miss road signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
Don’t Drive When Tired Or Stressed
Driving when you’re tired or stressed out can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. Your reaction times will be slower, your judgment will be impaired, and you might even fall asleep at the wheel.
If you’re feeling tired or stressed out, take a break from driving, preferably somewhere safe and quiet. Taking a short nap is better than nothing at all.
If you have to drive when you’re tired or stressed out, try to drive during times when there’s less traffic, or take a rest break every two hours or so.
Don’t Assume Other Road Users See You
You might be following every traffic rule perfectly well, but that doesn’t mean other road users do. Keep an eye out for other vehicles that might be driving too close to their lane or that are not signaling their actions.
f you see a vehicle that might be dangerous, slow down and give it plenty of space while driving. If you’re near an intersection, always assume that the other road users don’t see you.
Drive with extra caution and signal your every move. Be extra careful with pedestrians and other vehicles that might be turning.
Don’t Maneuver In Tight Spaces Without Awareness
Large commercial vehicles have reduced maneuverability compared to other types of vehicles, especially in tight spaces like parking lots. Before you try to maneuver in a tight space, always be aware of your surroundings and other vehicles nearby. Avoid driving when you’re too tired, distracted, or in a hurry.
Learn How To Handle Your Vehicle And Know Its Limitations.
Finally, you should always be aware of your vehicle’s limitations and always drive within them. Apart from following these tips, you can also protect yourself by purchasing the right insurance coverage.
Commercial truck insurance policies usually fall into one of two categories: commercial truck insurance or commercial auto insurance. Commercial truck insurance covers your semi, tractor, or delivery truck. It’s similar to standard vehicle insurance, except that it comes with higher coverage limits and it’s tailored to the specific types of accidents that are most common among commercial drivers.
It will cover the cost of repairs to your truck, medical expenses for the occupants of the other vehicle involved in the collision, and any property damage. Commercial auto insurance covers your vehicle.
This should be sufficient for basic liability coverage, but it might not be sufficient for commercial operations. You should also check with your state to make sure you have the proper license to operate a commercial vehicle.
Why You Need A Truck Accident Attorney
Getting into a truck accident is scary and challenging. It’s not just the physical and mental toll it takes on you but also the legal implications that follow. If you find yourself in such a situation, knowing your rights and the best course of action is crucial.
A truck accident attorney can help you get out of this situation faster and with minimal damage to your life. These professionals understand the nuances of such accidents and can help you claim any compensation you deserve. Here are some reasons why you need a truck accident attorney if you find yourself involved in such an incident:
Your Rights are Limited After a Truck Accident
In most cases, you have to file a claim within the first few days of the incident. If you miss this deadline, you’ll lose the right to claim compensation. You also need to prove that the accident happened due to someone else’s negligence. While this may be obvious in many cases, it’s not always easy to prove due to the sheer size and rigidity of the trucking industry.
A truck accident attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your case. Truck accidents often involve seriously injured people. This means that it may be necessary to find medical attention as soon as possible after the accident.
The longer you wait, the more difficult your treatment may become. There may also be some long-term damage to your health that you may miss if you don’t seek medical help immediately. A truck accident attorney can help you deal with the insurance company and get the medical attention you need as soon as possible.
You May Need Medical Attention Right Away
Truck accidents can be extremely dangerous. There may be a risk of fire, explosions, or other hazardous situations that can endanger the lives of people around you.
Delaying medical attention can cause long-term damage to your health and be life-threatening. In some cases, it can even be fatal. Therefore, it’s important to take any symptoms seriously and go to the doctor right away.
Similarly, you may have minor injuries that will become serious if you don’t treat them. This is especially true if your injuries involve broken bones or blood loss. Blood loss can kill you, so it’s important to get medical treatment quickly. A truck accident attorney can help you get the medical attention you need as soon as possible.
There’s a Lot of Paperwork Involved in Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can be very complex and confusing for regular people. One of the biggest challenges you face after such an accident is the sheer amount of paperwork involved.
You may be asked to file a report with the police, provide a statement, and deal with insurance companies. With so much paperwork, it’s easy to miss something or simply not know what to do. A truck accident attorney can help you with the paperwork and take care of all the necessary details.
Similarly, trucking accidents often involve a lot of insurance claims and claims for compensation. This can be a difficult process, and it’s easy to miss some important details. A truck accident attorney can help you file all the necessary paperwork and deal with any challenges that arise.
You May Be Entitled to Compensation
You may be entitled to compensation in the case of a truck accident. This applies to situations where the truck driver was negligent, was driving too fast, or violated other regulations. If another party is at fault for your accident, they may be required to compensate you for your suffering.
A truck accident attorney can help you seek compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other losses caused by the accident. In some cases, your insurance company may refuse to pay you or offer a low settlement.
This usually happens if you file a claim too late or don’t have enough evidence to back it up. A truck accident attorney can help you gather the evidence you need and make a strong claim for compensation.
Conclusion
Getting into a truck accident is challenging on many levels. It’s not just the physical and mental toll it takes on you but also the legal implications that follow. If you find yourself in such a situation, knowing your rights and the best course of action is crucial.
A truck accident attorney can help you get out of this situation faster and with minimal damage to your life. These professionals understand the nuances of such accidents and can help you claim any compensation you deserve.
