7 Small Changes That Will Make The Biggest Difference In Your 18 Wheeler Attorney
How to Avoid 18 Wheeler Accidents If you or a loved one is involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle, it could be a devastating event. These accidents can result in severe injuries and change your life forever. A truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for your damages. It can be a difficult time, but a seasoned lawyer will keep you focused on healing. 1. Speeding Both pedestrians and drivers are at risk when driving fast. This can lead to accidents that can be fatal including wrongful death and serious injury. 18 wheeler accident attorney palm bay can increase insurance costs and points added to a driver's driving record. When an accident occurs with an 18 wheeler, it can be especially devastating. These huge trucks are hefty, and can cause significant damage to smaller vehicles. This can be very painful for the passengers of the vehicle hit and can even cause life-threatening injuries depending on the severity of the crash. There are a few things drivers can do to reduce their chance of being involved in an accident with a 18-wheeler. The first thing to do is to avoid any form of speeding. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that speeding accounted for one-third of all traffic fatalities in 2020. This is a major issue that needs to be addressed. Another mistake motorists make is driving too quickly for the conditions. For instance, if it rains, or when the road requires repaired. This behavior can also cause accidents with other vehicles for example, pedestrians and bike riders. Speeding is a major risk for drivers who are younger. They are less likely to have the knowledge and experience of older drivers when it comes down to the law. Drivers who are drunk and drowsy are also more likely to drive over the speed limit, or be too fast for conditions. This is because they might not be paying attention to the road, or might not be aware of how close they are to other cars and trucks. Drivers can also fail to see an intersection's stop sign or a red light by driving too fast. It can also increase the risk of a crash. This is particularly dangerous for drivers of 18-wheelers which are larger than passenger vehicles. 2. Passing Trucks With Caution If you're driving along a highway or an interstate, there could be occasions when you have to move around a truck. In these situations it is crucial to drive carefully in order to avoid a collision. They weigh more than passenger vehicles, and as such they take longer to stop and slow down. It is important to give them the time to react to your signals and then move to the right when passing. If you are passing a truck, you should leave at the least four seconds gap between you and their vehicle. This will give you plenty of time for you to react to the actions of the truck and avoid collision. Additionally, you should never cut in front of a truck to change lanes or exit the highway. This is dangerous because the truck driver's blind spot can make it difficult for them to see you. They may also be distracted by their phone or other gadget that could cause them to lose control of their vehicle. Keep a safe distance the truck, particularly when you are driving in the left lane on a divided highway. This way, you'll stay out of the truck's blind spots and stay out of the line of fire should they lose control or get jackknifed. Be sure to let them know your intentions in advance and give them plenty of time to respond. This will aid in avoiding a collision, and increase your chances of avoiding serious accident. When crossing the two-lane interstate or a road be sure to avoid crossing a double solid white line or a broken line of yellow. This can cause problems for other drivers on the road, and could lead to a serious crash. A big commercial truck can be a scary for many motorists, but it doesn't have to be terrifying. By following these easy tips you can stay clear of 18 wheeler accidents and protect your safety. If you have been injured in an accident that involved an 18 wheeler, call our team at Cesar Ornelas Law today for no-cost consultation and find out if we can help you obtain compensation. 3. Try to get out of the Way 18 wheelers, also referred to as tractor-trailers are huge machines that are used to transport cargo across the country. It is important to be aware of what to look for when driving. Avoiding the path is usually the best way to avoid an 18-wheeler collision. It is not recommended to drive directly in the front of a commercial truck and you should give yourself extra space when merging or passing. Avoiding blind spots is a second important tip. These include areas behind the cab as well as both sides of the truck. The cab is usually the most difficult part of the truck to see and a properly-placed mirror can make a huge difference. If you need to merge, indicate your intentions clearly so that the trucker is aware of your intentions. This can be accomplished by activating your hazard lights and turning on your headlights as you get close to the vehicle ahead of you. The trucker might not see your vehicle and may not be able slow down in enough time to avoid an accident. The vehicle could also have an elevated center of gravity, which can cause the driver to lose control, and possibly hit you from behind or the front. Getting out of the way of an 18 wheeler isn't just the most attractive thing you can do on the road, but it's also the safest. The most serious danger is that a rogue truck can easily become a deadly wreck. Other dangers include a vehicle that is able to hit you on the bend or have a hot break which could lead to an accident. 4. Trying to Pass a Passenger Vehicle As an driver, you've probably experienced this frustrating scene on the road that is, you're stranded behind a big truck and you have to pass it to reach your destination. Unfortunately, doing this can result in 18 wheeler accidents if not done in a safe manner. It's important to be cautious when passing trucks, especially in winter weather conditions. In fact, 75 percent of all commercial vehicle accidents are caused by drivers of passenger vehicles, so it's important to be aware of what not to do when attempting to pass a truck. The first thing to remember is that semis have a much larger blind spot than passenger vehicles. This is due to their long trailers block their driver's view of the road, so it's important to pay close attention when attempting to pass them. When you pass, try to remain in the left lane and leave plenty of space around the vehicle. This will help avoid being hit by a truck that is typical in 18 wheeler accidents. Also, be aware that the brakes on a truck require a longer time to stop than a car's. It is also important to give the truck sufficient time to stop before it reaches your vehicle. Watch out for tire blowouts that could send debris over the road into your lane. Be aware that a semi's truck could get caught in your lane, which can be especially dangerous in a storm. Last but not least, you must use your turn signals when you pass a truck. This will enable the truck driver to be aware of you, and will allow them to know when it's safe to change lanes. These factors will enable you to drive with safety when you're sharing the roads with trucks. Contact the experienced 18-wheeler crash attorneys at Cesar Ornelas law to schedule a free consultation if you've been involved in an accident involving trucks. We can assist you in obtaining damages to cover your injuries as well as damage to property.