At times, it can seem like there are numerous unforeseen dangers on the road – especially when you’re traveling 70mph down the interstate. In order to protect yourself and your loved ones, it’s important to recognize these dangers. Commercial truck accidents account for approximately 8,000 motor vehicle accidents in Kentucky each year, according to the University of Kentucky. With that statistic in mind, keep reading to find out how you can avoid contributing to those numbers.
Avoiding Commercial Truck Accidents in Kentucky
Avoid braking suddenly. While braking suddenly isn’t something you can always avoid, doing so in front of a semi can have deadly consequences. Override accidents, where a truck rides over a passenger car, can easily crush a smaller vehicle if that vehicle brakes suddenly and without cause. Remember that larger vehicles are often unable to stop quickly.
Keep your distance. It’s important to remember to leave a substantial amount of space between you and a tractor-trailer. You need to account for instances of tire blowouts, unexpected braking, and high winds that can cause toppling.
Lower your high beams. While your high beams might help you see in the dark, they can blind truck drivers when the bright lights can reflect off their mirrors.
Merge carefully. When merging onto a highway try to avoid doing so in front of a tractor trailer, especially if there is a lot of traffic. Yield and wait until they’ve passed you to merge.
Pass with care. It’s important to always be careful when passing a commercial vehicle. Avoid passing a truck when going uphill, downhill, or around curves. Use your turn signals to clearly indicate your intent to pass. Pass as quickly and efficiently as possible without speeding. Do not merge back to the right lane until you can clearly see the truck driver in your rearview mirror. If a truck passes you, decrease your speed and stay to the right.
Stay off your phone. Distracted driving, whether you’re on your phone, eating, or reaching for something you’ve dropped, increases your chances of being in a collision. Avoid any activities that take your hands, eyes, or mind away from the road.
Even with knowledge on how to best avoid commercial truck accidents, you may find yourself a victim of this type of crash. In addition to the time spent recovering physically and mentally, you’ll potentially have medical expenses and lost wages to deal with. If your accident was due to the negligence of a truck driver or a trucking company, our Lexington truck accident lawyers can help you recover your damages. Contact us today for a free consultation.
