Truck drivers, to a large degree, are the backbone of our economy. Without truck drivers spending hours and hours on the road carrying goods from one part of the county to another, most people would be left with few choices that cost more money.
However, because of their nature and how frequently they drive, drivers of large trucks face the risk of accidents other drivers may not. Moreover, because of their weight and size, the damage caused by trucks when there is an accident can be sufficiently worse. Because of this, truck drivers are trained to take precautions to limit accidents. However, even the best drivers can have a lapse of judgment that results in an accident to another driver.
Below are some of the more common reasons truck drivers cause accidents and what you can do if you are a victim of one.
Blind spots
Because trucks are long and drivers generally sit higher on the road, it is easy for a passenger vehicle to end up in a driver’s blind spot. This means that the passenger vehicle may be “invisible” to the truck driver.
To ensure, a driver does not accidentally hit another vehicle in this situation, truck drivers are trained to check and then double check their blind spots before they change lanes or exit the road. Unfortunately, at times, truck drivers fail to check their blind spots or check them poorly, resulting in the driver hitting the vehicle next to them.
Poor turning
Turning a truck, especially on busy city streets, is challenging. Because a truck needs more space to successfully turn, especially right-hand turns, some truck drivers may be tempted to cut some corners that may leave other drivers exposed. For example, a driver may leave too much space between the truck and the right-hand curb, allowing passenger vehicles to attempt to pass the truck on the right. Unfortunately, the risk-taking truck driver increases the likelihood he will cause an accident when trying to complete their turn.
Distracted Driving
Truck drivers are just like other drivers which means they can get distracted while driving. According to the NHTSA, 3,308 people died because of distracted drivers. Distraction while driving may include looking at texts, bending over to pick up something they’ve dropped, eating, or even adjusting the seat. It only takes a moment for a truck driver to take their eyes off the road to find themselves facing another other vehicle they cannot avoid.
Drowsy Driving
Many truck drivers spend hours on the road hauling loads from one place to another. Those long hours can be tiring and monotonous which can result in the driver getting tired. The drowsiness can get worse late at night when there is limited light. A truck driver may also find themselves drowsy if they take the wrong medication. And once a truck driver is drowsy their driving may become erratic, they may veer into another lane that just happens to be occupied by another car.
Speeding
Most truck drivers are aware that speeding unnecessarily increases the likelihood of causing accidents. However, sometimes the temptation to speed may become too great for the driver to avoid. This may especially true when a driver is trying to meet a drop off deadline, but they have been delayed for reasons outside of their control. Moreover, experienced drivers may feel confident that they can control a speeding truck. The problem is that roads are unpredictable, and even the best truck drivers can misjudge road conditions or the behavior of other drivers, and speeding may rob the driver the time they need to avoid an accident.
What to do if you have been a victim of a truck accident?
Because trucks are so large and heavy, the damage they cause in accidents can be catastrophic. The damage may not just be limited to damage to the victim’s car, but also expensive medical bills, lost work, and lasting emotional trauma.
In these situations, it is recommended that the victim contact an attorney, such as a Truck Accident Attorney in Pensacola if you are from Florida, to discuss how the victim can get justice and maybe a piece of your life back. The attorney will be able to talk to the victim 1) about how to deal with the truck driver’s insurance company, 2) about how file to a lawsuit, 3) about what the lawsuit will entail, and 4) estimate how much money you may be entitled to because of the accident.
Conclusion
Driving on the road has many risks, and no matter want a driver does to prevent accidents, they cannot control the risky behavior of others. The risk is increased when the other driver is driving a truck because the potential consequences of the truck driver causing an accident are so much greater. To avoid being the victim of a truck accident, it is recommended to give truck drivers additional space while they are on the road. And when that does not protect another driver and there is a truck accident, the victim is encouraged to contact a lawyer that specializes in truck accidents.
