When you’re in a regular-sized vehicle, driving around semi-trucks can induce stress and anxiety because they’re so much bigger. It can be even more worrisome when you suspect the trucker is not driving safely. They might seem tired, not be paying attention, or they’re being reckless. When this happens, they could cause an accident with another truck driver or other vehicles on the road and cause serious destruction and debilitating injuries.
If a trucker was driving unsafely and caused a collision with you, you could be eligible to file a truck accident claim against them and the trucking company. With the help of a truck accident lawyer from Buckingham & Vega Law Firm, you could hold the negligent or reckless truck driver accountable for their actions that caused you harm.
What to Watch for in Truckers on the Road
Driving requires constant attention. When you’re driving around a large truck, you should be extra cautious and attentive so you have a better chance of preventing an accident with them. Truck accidents are four times more deadly for regular-sized vehicle passengers than for truckers, so it’s important to know the signs that a trucker is driving unsafely. Here are some things to look for while driving that would alert you to a trucker driving unsafely:
- Speeding. When a truck is driving above the speed limit, they are not able to brake as effectively, even if someone in front of them needs to stop suddenly, or if an animal jumps into the road. If you are driving around a tractor trailer that is speeding, don’t brake suddenly, as they might not be able to stop in time before colliding into you.
- Tailgating. Just like drivers of regular vehicles, truck drivers can tailgate as well. This reckless act can be dangerous because following the car in front of you too closely does not allow you enough room to stop, and in a tractor trailer, not being able to stop in time can prove deadly to the car in front of them.
- Swerving. If a truck driver is swerving on the road, they might be drowsy from working long hours, distracted by the radio or their phone, or could even be under the influence. When a truck swerves, they could easily cause a jackknife truck accident, which is one of the deadliest types of trucking accidents.
- Tipping. If a trucker’s driving is getting out of control and their trailer is not loaded properly, the rig could start tipping. This could also happen if the trucker takes a curve too quickly. When the truck continues to tip, this could cause a rollover accident, which is dangerous for the truck driver and any other vehicle in their path.
- Passing Unsafely. When a tractor trailer is attempting to pass you, but they are in the wrong lane, speeding, or are swerving in their lane, they could easily cause an accident with the cars or trucks they are passing, or any other surrounding vehicles.
How to Avoid an Accident with a Truck Driver
Truck accidents are especially dangerous because tractor trailers are bigger and weigh more than regular-sized motor vehicles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 300,000 accidents involving large trucks happen every year. As a driver, it’s important to know the signs that a truck driver is being unsafe, and it’s also important to know how to avoid an accident with a truck driver. Here are some ways to avoid a collision with a large truck:
- Stay out of their no-zones, which are the blind spots surrounding the tractor trailer.
- If you can see them in their sideview mirror, it means they can see you.
- Only pass on the left when it’s safe—never pass on the right.
- Use clear signals so truckers can anticipate your movements.
- Keep plenty of space between you and the truck.
- Turn on your headlights so the trucker can see you more easily.
- Stay alert at all times and don’t expect the truck driver to make the right decisions.
In Texas, and the rest of the country, we rely on truck drivers to get our necessities and other goods that we want in a timely manner. When a tractor trailer gets into an accident, this can delay those shipments, and even worse, can injure the truck driver and other drivers on the road. While truck drivers should always be attentive, drivers of regular motor vehicles should also pay attention to the truck’s movements so everyone can avoid collisions as best as possible.
If you’ve been in an accident with a large truck, you could have serious, life-changing injuries that have created financial hardships from medical bills, lost wages, and any other regular bills that become too much to bear. When you didn’t cause the accident, you shouldn’t be responsible for the bills that come with your injuries.
A truck accident lawyer from Buckingham & Vega Law Firm will fight for your rights and ensure the liable party is held responsible for your accident, whether that’s the truck driver, their company, or a defective part. Reach out to our office today so we can start discussing your case and your legal options moving forward.