Unlike automobile accidents, truck accidents are much more serious and complex and will often result in catastrophic injuries or death. Like car accidents, truck accidents happen for a number of reasons including but not limited to the following:
- Speeding
- Driver Error
- Blind Spots
- Mechanical failure
- Inadequate training
- Improper loading/Overloading
Truck drivers are trained to handle large vehicles and usually drive to do their best to avoid any regular vehicles or risks that may result in an accident. Other factors like bumpy roads or strong winds may increase the risk of an accident. The best way to avoid trucking accidents is to take precautions when driving next to one. Below is a brief list of tips on properly sharing the road with a truck.
Maintain visibility
This goes without saying! Your car should always be visible in the mirrors of a truck. Staying within sight of a truck’s blind spot will dramatically decrease your chances of an accident. Staying in sight of the truck driver will allow the both of you to avoid accidents with one another.
Pass a truck on the Left side
Did you know it’s illegal to pass a truck on the right hand side? The reason for this is because most trucks have a large blind spot on their right side. If a driver is making a right hand turn or lane change, the chances of the truck seeing your car as it makes a turn is practically non-existent. By passing a truck on its left side, you have a better chance of not getting crushed by the truck.
Avoid driving in front of a truck
Unless you and the truck have great distance between each other, avoid driving in front of a truck or slowing down since trucks require a larger stopping distance than cars and won’t be able to make sudden lane changes when a car immediately brakes in front of them. By driving closely in front of a truck, you risk the chance of a rear-end accident. Give your car and the truck a large enough distance gap or avoid driving in front of the truck.
No Tailgating
By tailgating a truck, not only are you and your car within the truck drivers blind spot, you also risk death if the truck brakes suddenly and your car goes under. This accident is the easiest to avoid, yet it still happens. Do not tailgate a truck.
Maintain a safe distance
Lastly, maintain a safe distance between your car and the truck. Give enough space for a truck to pass you, especially if the truck is attempting a lane change or turn. Use sound judgment.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a trucking accident in Las Vegas, the first thing to do is seek medical attention and then contact a Las Vegas Truck accident lawyer. Determining who is responsible and what caused the accident is much more complicated with trucking accidents than car accidents since there are so many people involved such as the truck driver, the truck owner, or the company leasing the truck.