How to Prevent a Car-truck Accident

Your anxiety level is sure to rise when driving in close proximity to commercial trucks. Even if you have many years of experience on the road, there’s something about these vehicles that makes you (and almost every other driver) nervous.

While there is nothing you can do to change the driving habits of commercial trucks, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are some things you should do:

• Leave more space: Regardless of conditions, leave as much space between your vehicle and commercial trucks as possible. For example, if you’re following behind a truck on the highway, drop back a few additional car lengths to give yourself more time to react to an emergency situation.
• Avoid blind spots: Due to the size of commercial trucks, truckers must contend with blind spots on all sides. Do your best to make yourself visible to the trucker at all times, as opposed to driving for an extended period in a blind spot. If you’re out of sight, you’re also out of mind.
• Watch for inclement weather: For example, commercial trucks have a difficult time remaining steady in strong winds. Just the same, if the roads are slick, it will take these vehicles a longer time to stop. If the weather changes, so should your approach to the road.

In addition to the above, knowledge of the most common causes of car-truck accidents can help you maintain your safety. Here are some of the many mistakes truckers often make:

• Aggressive driving, such as speeding and tailgating
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Illegal lane changes and passing
• Improper training
• Improper loading

The problem with these causes of car-truck accidents is that you can’t do anything about them. It’s up to the trucker to ensure that they’re following the rules of the road at all times.

If you’re involved in a car-truck accident, don’t hesitate to seek help and medical assistance. This typically starts with calling 911. From there, you can administer first aid, wait for an ambulance to arrive and receive treatment.

After you receive treatment, you can then turn your attention to your future health, filing an insurance claim and looking into other ways to obtain compensation for damages.