It’s pretty obvious, but commercial trucks are usually the biggest vehicles on the road. Due to their size and weight, large trucks take more time to slow down, stop and speed up. They also require more space to maneuver safely and usually have more blind spots than other types of vehicles.
In Texas, the roads and highways are full of large commercial trucks, which means that accidents involving these trucks are bound to happen. If you want the best chance of reducing the possibility of a truck accident in Corpus Christi, it’s important to learn how to safely share the road.
Most people have been in a situation where there is a large truck in front of them, traveling rather slowly. You may have even had another large truck behind you. While it can be a stressful situation, there are a few tips that will ensure you drive safely around these large vehicles.
Keep reading to learn what those tips are and if you are injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, get in touch with our legal team at Burkett Law Firm. We will help ensure your case is successful and that you get the compensation you deserve.
Remember the Truck’s Size
Your traditional passenger vehicle is much smaller, faster, and easier to maneuver than large commercial trucks. It’s important that you provide plenty of space for large trucks to maneuver on the road so you can avoid an accident. If you follow too closely or if you cut in front of a large truck, then you are going to increase the likelihood of an accident.
Never Cut Off a Large Truck
While it may seem unfair if you have to slow down to let a truck move into your lane, it is the safest thing that you can do. Also, if you speed up to get in front of a truck, it may increase the potential of the truck hitting you from the rear. Be sure to give large trucks plenty of space to change lanes and only change lanes or pass a truck when it is safe to do this.
Consider the Many Blind Spots That Trucks Have
Commercial trucks have a lot of blind spots. Some include the front of the truck cab, under and behind the window on the driver’s side, right behind the trailer, and the right side of the cab all the way back to the end of the truck’s trailer. The blind spots a driver will have is much higher than what drivers of passenger vehicles have to deal with. Because of this, drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and others need to take steps to ensure that they can be seen by commercial truck drivers. You should always assume that the driver cannot see you.
Tap Your Brakes
If you must decelerate suddenly for any reason, it’s a good idea to tap your brakes several times before trying to stop. When your brake lights blink, it will let drivers behind know what is going on, which will help prevent the likelihood of a rear-end accident. Even a commercial truck can benefit from doing this.
Use Caution in Hazardous Conditions
Unlike smaller vehicles, large commercial trucks are likely going to send mud, water, snow, and debris flying from the sides and behind as they move down the road. It’s a good idea to leave as much extra space between you and commercial trucks as possible during adverse weather conditions. This is going to help you avoid debris damage and visibility impairment.
What to Do if You Are Involved in an Accident with a Large Truck?
If you are involved in an accident with a truck, there is the possibility that you will experience extensive and significant damages and injuries. If this happens, work to get yourself to safety and contact the authorities. It is a good idea to seek medical attention right away. Doing so is beneficial for a few reasons. It will ensure that any injuries you have suffered are documented and treated.
It is also a good idea to collect any evidence you can about the incident. Doing this is going to help you prove what happened and increase your ability to recover compensation.
Contact Our Legal Team for Help with Your Truck Accident Injury Claim
The aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming. However, our legal team is here to help you with the situation you are in. It’s our goal to help you recover the most compensation possible for your injuries. With our help, you can feel confident that you will have an experienced legal team on your side, fighting for your rights.
Remember, the insurance company is going to do everything possible to reduce or eliminate their requirement to pay you. You need a legal team that will fight just as hard for your rights – that’s us. We won’t rest until we feel confident that you have received a settlement offer that is fair for your injuries and damages. If we are unable to reach this agreement out of court, our team is ready to litigate the case to help you recover the damages you deserve.
The first step is to get in touch with our legal team by calling our offices and scheduling a free initial consultation. During this meeting, we will learn the facts of your case to help build a solid defense for your situation.
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