5 Safety Tips for Truck Drivers on Super Bowl Weekend – Advice from a Tyler Accident Lawyer

Commercial truck drivers are among the most experienced motorists on Texas roads. Although CMV crashes are uncommon, they often end with serious injuries or worse. If you suffer an injury due to a truck driver’s negligent or reckless actions, then your first call should be to an accident lawyer.

There are several factors that can increase the likelihood of a truck accident, including heavy traffic and intoxicated drivers. You can expect plenty of both on Super Bowl weekend.

Over the holidays and other celebrations, it is particularly important for truck drivers to remain vigilant. A small mistake or brief distraction can lead to a catastrophic wreck.

If you suffer an injury due to a negligent truck driver in Texas, then contact the Cooper Law Firm. As a Tyler truck accident attorney, Mr. Cooper can help you pursue compensation for lost income, health-care bills and other damages.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. You can also visit http://truck-accident.usattorneys.com/ to learn more about truck accident claims.

Read on to learn five safety tips for commercial truck drivers on Super Bowl weekend:

1. Wear Your Seatbelt

Seatbelts save lives. They prevent serious injuries – particularly to the head, neck and spine.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, seatbelts are mandatory for truck drivers. They protect drivers from ejection, but perhaps more important, they keep drivers in control of their vehicles.

2. Be Aware of Driving Conditions

Trucks are heavy, and as a result, they pick up momentum and require longer distances to slow down. This is why it is critical to maintain longer following distances in adverse weather.

Bad weather contributes to 25 percent of all truck fatalities related to speeding. Reduce your speed by one-third if the roads are wet and by half if there is snow.

3. Never Speed

Speed limits are in place for a reason, and truckers should go even slower than passenger vehicles. Speeding increases the likelihood of a rollover – especially on entrance and exit ramps.

4. Check Your Blind Spots

It is never wise for truckers to assume that motorists will stay out of their blind spots. Most drivers do not even know where blind spots are on commercial trucks.

Check your blind spots often – especially when turning, merging or changing lanes. Blind spot surveillance will also provide insights into changing traffic patterns.

5. Look Ahead

A commercial truck needs a longer distance to stop than smaller cars. Sudden braking is dangerous for a vehicle with a high center of gravity. Truck drivers should keep their eyes at least 15 seconds ahead of the vehicle, which is roughly a quarter-mile if driving on the interstate, or 1.5 blocks in metropolitan areas.

In addition to these safety tips, truckers should ensure that they get sufficient rest before driving over the Super Bowl weekend. They should also stay off their cell phones and avoid other distractions.

If you suffer an injury in a truck accident, then contact the Cooper Law Firm to discuss your claim. Call 903-297-0037 to learn more.