Truck accidents can cause tremendous amounts of damage and injuries. Recovering from these accidents can take significant medical care and often becomes very expensive. So, how can truck accidents be prevented to reduce these damages?
As a motorist sharing the road with 18-wheelers, you can take several straightforward steps to reduce the odds of getting hurt in a Texas truck accident. Go over these steps right here and get more detailed information from our team at the Buzbee Law Firm.
Tips to Prevent Accidents: Avoid Blind Spots
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles have large blind spots. Drivers cannot see vehicles or pedestrians in these areas.
Most commercial vehicles have blindspots:
- On both sides of the vehicle
- In front of the vehicle
- Behind the vehicle
Mirrors on the truck do not entirely account for these blind spots. As a result, you increase your risk of ending up in a truck accident if you stay in a truck’s blind spot for a significant time, as the driver may not see you or your vehicle.
For this reason, tailgating a semi-truck could easily lead to a collision.
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Tips to Prevent Accidents: Give Trucks Extra Space
How can truck accidents be prevented in Texas? Sometimes, avoiding an accident requires you to give other vehicles extra space on the road. You may want to adjust your following distance when driving around trucks because these vehicles:
- Take longer to stop due to their size and weight
- Use more room when making a turn due to their length
- May roll over when faced with high winds due to their high center of gravity
While many trucks these days have safety tech systems to detect dangerous situations and accidental lande departures, accidents still happen.
Additionally, when something goes wrong with a large commercial vehicle, it can drastically impact other vehicles on the road. For example, trucks have many tires. Any of these tires could blow out, sending remnants of rubber towards your vehicle.
Tips to Prevent Accidents: Avoid Distractions
When wondering how to avoid truck accidents, the professionals recommend that you stay focused on the road. Distractions cause thousands of accidents every year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distractions can involve anything that takes your attention away from driving. You may face:
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions cause you to take your eyes off the road. For example, looking down at a cellphone to read a text message represents an example of a visual distraction. While looking away from the road, other vehicles may move in ways you don’t expect.
Manual Distractions
You experience a manual distraction when you take your hands off the steering wheel. For example, grabbing a drink or a snack while driving could represent an example of a manual distraction.
Mental Distractions
Finally, many drivers experience mental distractions. For example, thinking about what you’re going to do at your destination or considering what you want to type in a text message can both lead to mental distraction.
Tips to Prevent Accidents: Pass With Care
Drivers pass other vehicles on the road for many different reasons. Passing trucks involves extra care due to their size and limited mobility. How can truck accidents be prevented when passing? Make sure that you:
- Avoid passing trucks while going downhill or uphill
- Always pass on the left side of the truck
- Use your signals before passing
- Leave extra space when you merge in front of the truck
If a truck decides to pass you, make sure you stay in the right side of your lane. You may also want to slow down to make it easier for the driver to safely pass your vehicle.
What Are Safety Tips for New Truck Drivers
All drivers on the road can focus on preventing accidents, including commercial truckers. New truckers may want to work with their company to create a trucking accident prevention plan. When operating a commercial vehicle, you can stay safe by:
- Refusing to tailgate other drivers
- Checking the area behind your truck before reversing
- Checking all mirrors before changing lanes or passing
- Leaving extra room when making a right turn
- Slowing down early when you approach a stop sign or red light
Following these tips can help truckers avoid collisions with other drivers.
What Happens After Truck Accidents in Texas?
Unfortunately, drivers cannot prevent all truck accidents in Texas, even when doing everything possible to drive safely. Other factors can end up causing a collision. In this situation, the professionals recommend that you:
- Report the accident to the police
- Exchange contact information with other drivers and any witnesses
- Seek medical care for your injuries
- Contact a truck accident lawyer for help
A lawyer can take steps to determine who caused your truck accident while reviewing the losses you sustained in the collision. If someone else caused the wreck, you could receive compensation for your losses.
Many truck accident claims allow drivers to secure damages to cover their:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages at work
- Diminished earning potential
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
You may settle with the insurance company representing the truck driver or even file a lawsuit after your accident. Lawyers and insurance agents will review your actions as they handle your claim.
Speak to a Lawyer if You Ended Up in a Preventable Truck Accident
How can truck accidents be prevented in Texas? Following the rules of the road and concentrating on driving can prevent many accidents. However, you cannot always control the actions of other drivers.
If another driver struck you, you can work with a truck accident lawyer to seek compensation for your losses. Reach out to the Buzbee Law Firm today for help in this situation. You can call us or fill out our online contact from.
