Commercial vehicles are essential for transporting goods throughout the country. Therefore, we share the road with large trucks each day in Oklahoma. Unfortunately, truck injury accidents kill thousands of people each year. Over three-fourths of the deaths in large truck accidents are people who are not in the truck. For that reason, it is important to take precautions to avoid a truck crash.
Safety Tips for Driving Near Large Trucks
Five safety tips for avoiding truck accidents:
1. Avoid Driving in the Truck’s Blind Spot
Commercial trucks have huge blind spots. Learn where those blind spots are located and avoid driving in the blind spots. If the truck driver cannot see you, he may execute a turn or maneuver that could crush your vehicle.
2. Be Cautious When Merging in Front of Trucks
Trucks cannot stop as quickly as passenger vehicles. When passing and merging in front of a large truck, allow more room before cutting in front of the truck. Slamming on the brakes suddenly in front of a large truck could result in truck injury accidents.
3. Do Not Follow Trucks Too Closely
Allow more room between your vehicle and the truck in front of you. You want to make sure that the truck driver sees you following the truck. If a truck tire blows or the truck driver must stop suddenly, the extra time you have from following further back can help you avoid a truck accident.
4. Anticipate Wide Turns
Trucks make wide turns. Do not try to cut in front of a large truck as it is turning right or left. Your vehicle could become caught under the truck or between the truck and another object or vehicle.
5. Stay Focused on the Road
Avoid distracted driving. Distracted driving increases the risk of being involved in a truck crash.
Three FAQs About Truck Injury Accidents
If you are injured in a truck accident, there are three important things you should know about these types of personal injury claims:
More Than One Party May Be Liable for Your Claim
One or more parties may be liable for damages caused by truck injury accidents. Parties that could be liable include:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Loaders/shippers
- Truck manufacturers
- Repair shops
- Maintenance facilities
- Other motorists
Identifying all parties liable for the crash is crucial because that increases the number of parties contributing to the compensation owed to the accident victims.
Claims Are Aggressively Investigated and Fought
Insurance companies and trucking companies have teams of professionals investigating a truck accident within hours after the crash. Truck crashes often involve catastrophic injuries and deaths, which increase the value of claims. Insurance companies have unlimited resources to investigate and fight truck injury claims.
You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Immediately
You need a legal team who understands the complexity of large truck accident cases. A team who knows the steps to take to preserve evidence, investigate the cause of the crash, and identify all liable parties. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the quicker the lawyer can begin protecting your legal rights.
Call Our Tulsa Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Schedule a free consultation with a Tulsa personal injury lawyer by calling The Law Office of Michael R. Green, PLLC, at (866) 944-4733.