Gordon & Doner, P.A. issued the following announcement on July 23.
An auto accident involving a semi-truck can lead to victims suffering serious injuries and possibly death. For this reason, it is important to know how to drive safely around a semi-truck or large commercial vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a large truck, contact Gordon & Doner’s West Palm Beach truck accident lawyer. We can answer your questions about pursuing compensation for the injuries, lost wages, and pain and suffering you suffered after a truck accident. Our West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys will provide you with a free, no obligation consultation to help you determine which legal options may be available to you.
There are several strategies that you can use to help reduce your risk of being involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, including:
1. Watching for Blind Spots
Semi-trucks and large commercial vehicles may have blind spots that make it difficult for the driver to see approaching vehicles. To avoid spots where commercial truck drivers may have trouble seeing you, watch out for these areas:
Up to 20 feet directly in front of the truck
In the left lane between the front and half of the trailer’s length
Up to 30 feet directly behind the vehicle
In two right lanes of the vehicle between the front and half of the trailer’s length
Additionally, if you cannot see yourself in a semi-truck’s side-view mirror, assume that the driver cannot see you either.
2. Keeping a Safe Following Distance
Maintain a safe driving distance between your vehicle and the semi-truck. Large commercial trucks often need more space than passenger vehicles to safely maneuver on the roadway and following too may place you in a dangerous position with the truck.
By increasing the distance between your vehicle and a semi-truck, you may have more time to respond to dangerous situations. For example, semi-trucks require longer distances to come to a complete stop after applying its brakes. If you are too close to the truck it may increase of causing a serious accident.
To ensure you have a safe following distance, leave at least a four-second space between your vehicle and a semi-truck.
3. Anticipating Wide Turns
Another useful tip is to avoid driving near a semi-truck while it is making a wide turn. Many semi-trucks have a wide-turning radius, which reduces the amount of time you have to stop if the truck is taking up most of the roadway.
If you are driving near a semi-truck attempting to turn, you should not try to pass on the same side the truck is turning. Also, you should leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the truck to avoid being in its path while making a turn.
4. Passing the Truck Safely
To safely drive around a semi-truck, you should always attempt to pass the vehicle in a cautious manner. You should not attempt to recklessly or carelessly overtake the vehicle’s position on the roadway.
Before attempting to pass a semi-truck, be sure that you see the driver in the mirror. Use your turn signal to alert the driver and others on the roadway that you intend to change lanes.
Additionally, try to quickly pass the truck so minimize the amount of time you spend in the driver’s blind spot. You should try to make sure the semi-truck is visible in your rearview mirror before pulling in front of it.
5. Staying Focused
You should stay focused on the roadway while driving your vehicle. This includes avoid distractions, such as using your cellphone, GPS device, adjusting your vehicles features or engaging in any other distraction while operating a vehicle.
By staying focused on the roadway, you become more attentive to the vehicles driving next to you, like a semi-truck. If you engage in distractions while driving, you significantly reduce your ability to react to unexpected hazards, like a semi-truck making a turn or losing control due to a blown tire.
Contact an Attorney After an Accident
By driving cautiously are semi-trucks you may be able to significantly reduce your risk of being involved in a truck accident. However, if you are injured in a collision caused by a semi-truck, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer to discuss filing a personal injury claim.
Gordon & Doner’s trusted personal injury lawyers in West Palm Beach have helped many accident victims obtain the justice and compensation they deserve after suffering an injury due to another’s negligence. We will review the circumstances behind your accident and help you determine if you may be owed compensation from the trucking company or truck’s driver.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only have to pay us if we recover compensation for your claim. There is no risk in contacting us for a free, no obligation consultation to find out if you have a case.
Original source can be found here.