Sharing the road becomes difficult when you are surrounded by semi-trucks and as a Tucson truck accident lawyer, I have seen my fair share of accidents. These massive vehicles are difficult to see over and around. Especially relevant: They occupy an abundance of space, struggle to maintain the speed limit on inclines and have limited visibility.
The last thing you want is to end up in an accident with one of these big rigs. Our Tucson truck accident lawyer will give their all on your case. Here are a few tips that will help you stay safe and sound while sharing the road with semi-trucks.
Be Careful When Passing
Do not pass a semi-truck until you can clearly see the driver in the rearview mirror. Signal to move over to the passing lane and accelerate past the semi-truck with ample space to spare. Try to pass trucks in areas where the road is flat or on an incline as these massive vehicles are more likely to gain speed on declines.
Avoid the Trucker’s Blind Spots
Trucks have blind spots because of the design that makes it functional. Large trucks have especially massive blind spots, sometimes called “no zones”. These areas are immediately behind, to the sides and directly in front of the truck. If you can’t see the truck driver in his side mirror, he can’t spot you either. Do your best to avoid driving in a trucker’s blind spot. Reduce your rate of speed or move to an area where the trucker can see you.
Give the Trucker Some Room
Truck driving is a difficult job. Leave the truckers around you some extra space just in case they lose track of their position or doze off. If a trucker tries to pass you, slow down bit, move slightly to the right and give the trucker a considerable amount of space for a successful merge.
Assume Every Truck Will Make a Wide Turn
Semi-trucks require extra space to turn. Usually, these large vehicles swing wide to reach the intended space. Thus, some even start turns from the middle lane. Don’t try to pass a truck that has its turn signal on. Take care to avoid blocking the trailer. When driving, even if you don’t immediately see a truck, don’t stop ahead of the indicated lines. Most trucks use this as a gauge to make a turn and in the end, they are bigger than your car is.
Never Cut off a Semi-truck
It is never a good idea to cut off another vehicle, but it is even more dangerous when semi-trucks are involved. Even if visible, the truck might not have enough room slow down enough to prevent impact, accidents and possibly death. Consequently, do not move on in too quickly from the side as you might be in a blind spot.
Recognize Trucks Need Extra Time to Stop
Semi-trucks are heavy and long. They need plenty of space to come to a full stop, especially when traveling on the highway. If a semi-truck is moving at a speed of 65 miles per hour, it will require the length of nearly two full football fields to reach a complete stop. It’s simple physics and don’t just pull into a lane when you see space; a driver may be counting on that space to stop.
Injured? Meet with Our Tucson Truck Accident Lawyer
Hit and injured by a semi-truck or any other vehicle? Your focus should be on recovering and, getting your life back to normal.
Let our Tucson truck accident lawyer handle the legal aspects of your accident. We will fiercely advocate on your behalf every step of the way. Reach out to us today to coordinate a no-cost consultation. You can contact our law firm by dialing 844-977-1900. Our office hours are 8-5pm and we are willing to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.You can also chat with a live representative via our LiveChat feature.
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.