A majority of the transportation of goods in U.S. is done by the trucking industry. With such large heavy vehicles on the road there is bound to be accidents resulting in major injuries and so knowing how to avoid 18-wheeler wrecks is crucial. In 2020 there were 147,000 injuries due to large truck accidents such as semi-trucks. According to policyadvice.net, there has been a 52% increase in trucking accidents since 2009 and 74% of fatal vehicle crashes involve one of these large trucks.
Trucking accidents account for a majority of the vehicle fatalities on the road and with that being said it can make any driver nervous when driving near a large truck, so we have provided a few tips to avoid being in a wreck with an 18-wheeler.
Don’t speed or drive reckless: Speeding to get around big trucks or driving reckless never ends well, these big semi-trucks are carrying large heavy loads which makes stopping quickly nearly impossible.
Don’t Drive Distracted: Being distracted by a cell phone, a meal, or a screaming kid can end in serious injury for you or anyone in the vehicle, and that chance increases when traveling near an 18-wheeler.
Avoid Blind Spots: Avoiding a trucks blind spot is crucial. A majority of this blind spot in on the right side so avoid passing on the right but also keep in mind they do have blind spots on the left as well as directly in front and behind the truck.
Watch for Turning Trucks: Most semi-trucks are pulling a load around fifty feet long which makes turning difficult. When turning at an intersection these trucks have to take very wide turns especially when going right so remember this and give them enough space to do so.
Driving on the road when there are such big trucks can be dangerous, but accidents happen very frequently so knowing how to avoid 18-wheeler wrecks is important. If you or a loved one is involved in a wreck, be sure to seek medical treatment first then contact an experienced truck accident lawyer. The truck accident attorneys at Chhabra & Gibbs are standing by to help you and your loved ones when they’re in need so contact us at 601-948-8005 for a FREE consultation. For more personal injury news check out msinjurylaw.com.
