How Can Passenger Vehicle Drivers Avoid 18 Wheeler Wrecks? 3 Tips from a Van Zandt Accident Attorney

Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, a crash with an 18 wheeler is likely to end with injuries or fatalities. As you might expect, the occupants of passenger vehicles tend to suffer the worst of the impact.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, passenger vehicle occupants made up 26 percent of all truck accident-related fatalities in 2014. Fortunately, you may be able to avoid becoming a statistic by:

Learning how 18 wheelers operate;
Keeping your distance in poor weather;
And not pulling over on busy highways.

If you were injured in a truck wreck that another driver caused, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper is a truck accident lawyer in Van Zandt who helps clients throughout east Texas.

Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation. Until then, read on to learn three ways passenger vehicle drivers can avoid 18 wheeler collisions:

Learn How 18 Wheelers Operate

Commercial trucks do not operate the same way as passenger vehicles. Due to their size and weight, they require longer stopping distances. As such, you should always let a trucker pass if he or she is tailgating you.

Semi-tractor trailers also require more space to make turns. If you are approaching an intersection and an 18 wheeler is turning right, expect it to enter your lane to take a wider angle.

Keep Your Distance in Poor Weather

As the U.S. Department of Transportation explains, bad weather increases the likelihood of commercial motor vehicle accidents. In low visibility, truckers may not see vehicles in their blind spots. This can cause them to turn or change lanes into other cars. As such, you should keep your distance from 18 wheelers in poor weather.

Do Not Pull over on Busy Highways

Commercial trucks account for much of the traffic on Texas highways. Many of these drivers travel long distances. Fatigue, distractions, complacency and other factors can cause truckers to drift into other lanes or onto the shoulder.

This is why it is unsafe to pull over on a busy highway. All it takes is a moment’s inattention for a trucker to drift and crash into a parked vehicle.

If your vehicle breaks down, move it as far off the highway as possible. Always carry an emergency triangle or flares, and place them a safe distance behind your vehicle if you stop on a highway so approaching drivers will notice you.

Although these three tips can reduce your risk of truck accidents, even the safest drivers are not immune to collisions. If you were injured by a negligent trucker, contact the Cooper Law Firm.

N. Eric Cooper is a truck accident attorney in Texas who will evaluate your claim to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for health-care bills, lost income and noneconomic damages. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation.