There’s nothing more annoying than being stuck in traffic for hours because a truck accident is blocking the way. But to the people involved in the accident, it can be one of the scariest moments of their life.
When it comes to truck talk, everyone knows that trucking accidents are a serious issue. But why are they so serious? And more importantly, what can you do to prevent them?
We’ll go over why trucking accidents are a serious issue as well, as what to do if you’re involved in a collision, and what the best practices for avoiding accidents are.
Read on.
Why Are Trucking Accidents So Serious?
A truck accident can be one of the most deadly occurrences on the road. They are especially serious because they are more likely to result in death or serious injury than a collision between two passenger cars.
Big rig tractor-trailers and semi-trucks can weigh more than 30,000 pounds. By contrast, the average passenger vehicle weighs only around 4,000 pounds. That means passenger cars stand no chance against the amount of force generated by a truck.
Besides the weight factor, drivers in large commercial trucks are usually in a high cab, while passenger car drivers are much lower to the ground. This can lead to the car getting crushed and other devastating results if you’re in a truck accident.
Truck accident liability is also no joke. Commercial trucking insurance is necessary from a legal standpoint because an accident could wipe out your finances without it. If the truck driver is found to be at fault, they can face massive fines, loss of employment, and even jail time. This is one of the reasons that it is crucial to have a truck accident lawyer on your side if you are involved in a collision.
A truck accident attorney can help you navigate the complicated legal situations that arise after trucking accidents. If you’ve been involved in one of these collisions, one of the first things that you should do is contact a truck accident law firm.
How to Avoid Truck Accidents
The best way to deal with a truck accident is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. To do this, you need to understand the most common causes of truck accidents and how to prevent them.
There have been countless studies done on what the most common causes of trucking accidents are. They all conclude that the most common trucker errors that lead to wrecks are:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigue
- Impaired driving
- Speed
- Lack of experience
- Failure to obey traffic rules
- Poor judgment
Truckers should take action to prevent these errors from occurring while they are on the job. Make sure you are paying attention to the road at all times and do not drive if you are too fatigued or impaired in any way. Keep your speed low and follow all traffic laws to the letter.
The most common passenger car errors include:
- Driving in a truck driver’s blind spot
- Performing illegal maneuvers
- Texting while driving
- Following too closely
- Cutting off a truck
- Driving while intoxicated
It is your responsibility as a trucker to learn how to compensate for these common errors. Remember, their car is no match for your rig, so be courteous when adjusting to passenger car errors and do not give in to road rage.
Take Trucking Accidents Seriously
Trucking accidents are some of the most dangerous collisions that can happen. They are more likely to lead to serious injury and death than collisions between passenger cars.
Therefore, it is crucial to know the most common causes of truck accidents and how to prevent them. You should always ensure that you have a truck accident lawyer on your side in case you are ever involved in a collision.
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