There’s nothing easy about driving in close proximity to large commercial trucks. Not only do you have to contend with their size, but you’ll also have concerns about whether or not the trucker is obeying the rules of the road.
Understanding the most common causes of car-truck accidents can help keep you safe. Here are five of the biggest culprits:
- Reckless driving: This comes in many forms, with speeding and illegal passing among the most common. The problem with reckless driving is that you never know when a trucker will violate the law.
- Distracted driving: Truckers are prone to many types of distractions, such as eating, drinking, smoking, texting, talking on the phone, and reading a map or GPS system.
- Drowsy driving: Long-haul truckers, in particular, have to deal with the possibility of becoming drowsy while they’re behind the wheel. Even if a trucker doesn’t fall asleep, drowsiness can cause them to make poor decisions.
- Improper training: If a trucker doesn’t receive the proper training, they may not have the knowledge necessary to deal with every situation they face. This is why it’s critical for trucking companies to have a detailed and thorough training process.
- Improper loading: There is a right and wrong way to load a commercial truck. Any mistake, such as placing the wrong items in the wrong part of the truck, can increase the risk of an accident.
While these are among the most common causes of car-truck accidents, there are other circumstances that can lead to trouble on the road.
As the driver of a passenger vehicle, you can take steps to help prevent an accident:
- Avoid blind spots
- Take extra caution when merging and changing lanes in close proximity to commercial trucks
- Leave additional space between vehicles
Even the most cautious drivers can find themselves injured in a car-truck accident. When this happens, your health and recovery are more important than anything else. If you don’t receive the proper medical treatment as quickly as possible, you increase the risk of long-term health concerns.
When possible, you should review your insurance policy, file a claim and look into all the steps you can take to obtain compensation from the negligent trucker.