There is an uneasy feeling that comes over most of us when we are driving in a middle lane between two semi-trucks – and it is easy to see why. The size and power of an 18 wheeler truck make them incredibly dangerous when they are involved in an accident, especially with a smaller vehicle. Read on to learn what makes these super trucks so dangerous to regular drivers – and what you can do to exercise additional caution while sharing the road with one.
Size, Weight, and Length
The size of an 18 wheeler alone makes them much more dangerous than other vehicles on the road. A crash between an extremely large object and a smaller object will undoubtedly result in more damage to the smaller object.
Their dangerous element does not just stop there, though. The weight of an 18 wheeler range, but can reach up to 80,000 pounds. That, compared to the average passenger car which roughly weighs 3,500 pounds, can make a big difference if an accident occurs.
Semi-trucks are much longer than the average automobile, as well. This is important to remember when passing a truck, as judging their length from the back is difficult. If you are passing a semi-truck on a highway, be sure to give yourself enough distance to judge the length of the vehicle and whether any other vehicles are surrounding it. To err on the side of caution, it is safest to not pass an 18 wheeler on a one-way road unless you have an extended view of the road ahead and can see no other vehicles are approaching.
Acceleration and Stopping
Semi-trucks will need a lot more time and space to both accelerate and stop, compared to a regular passenger vehicle. While it may take a passenger car 300 feet in order to come to a complete stop, a semi-truck may require twice this distance. This means that, if traffic is stopping and starting frequently, it may be difficult for an 18 wheeler truck to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front of them.
In order to avoid this, it is best to leave plenty of space in between you and a semi-truck in traffic. Whenever possible, change lanes so that you are not directly in front of an 18 wheeler truck.
Blind Spots
It is important to remember that the larger the truck, the bigger the blind spot they have. For a semi-truck, these spots exist on both sides of the automobile as well as in the front and in the rear. Accidents due to these blind spots are a common occurrence – and can result in serious injuries and even death.
To avoid a potential accident with an 18 wheeler because of this, leave the additional room when passing or changing lanes near a semi-truck. Leave your blinker on for at least 10 seconds prior to changing lanes to be sure the truck driver sees that you will be changing lanes, and never attempt to swerve around a large truck.
Fatigue
Truck drivers often drive for many hours without stopping or resting. With this in mind, it is important to exercise additional caution when sharing the road with 18 wheeler trucks, as the drivers of these vehicles may not be as alert as you are.
Exercising caution at all times while driving can help prevent serious injuries from an automobile accident with an 18-wheeler truck.
If you were hurt in a truck crash, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your experienced truck accident attorney will thoroughly investigate the details of your accident, obtain the accident reports, request to review the truck's driver's records, obtain your medical records, and do everything possible to build a solid case in your favor.
The physical, emotional, and financial toll caused by a truck collision can be overwhelming. Weinstein Legal is prepared to help you recover compensation for your losses. Contact us at 954-845-0505 to schedule your free consultation with our experienced truck accident lawyer today.
