Trucks are incredibly big and massive, which makes them useful for a lot of situations, especially in relation to transport. This also makes them extremely meticulous and challenging to drive. This makes accidents with them particularly tricky, as it poses dangers you should be aware of.
According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, majority of the deaths that occur in truck accidents are associated with occupants of passenger vehicles primarily due to the risks trucks have. As trucks are 20 to 30 times heavier as passenger cars, the latter may end up underriding trucks when a crash happens. Given the potential gravity of truck accidents, it’s important to know how to keep yourself safe when you’re on the roads, especially when it comes to trucks. Here are other considerations you should know:
- Make sure you’re aware of blind spots. Interestingly, it seems one of the reasons people get into truck accidents is because truck drivers don’t get to see them properly from their vehicles. This isn’t automatically equated to driver negligence, however, as trucks do have definite blind spots due to their massive builds. As pedestrians, one of the most efficient ways to stay safe is to be aware of blind spots of trucks. Try not to stay directly behind a truck, or even remotely close to the truck’s path. A good tip to keep in mind is to make sure that you can see the mirrors of the truck, as that means the truck driver is likely able to see you as well.
- Make sure you stay away from trucks with larger loads. This is because the larger the load of the truck, the likelier it is for maneuvering to be more difficult for the driver. This also means the driver might have a harder time being able to maneuver through parking spaces and through obstacles.
- Make sure you remember that trucks find it much harder for them to stop. This is especially the case for tractor trailers, as their heavy load means it takes more than the usual time for their machines to be able to stop everything. Don’t attempt to dart past the trucks and don’t expect them to be able to stop for you, as while truck drivers may be able to stop their vehicles, the machines may take time before fully stopping. This means you are very likely to be involved in accidents if you’re not careful.
- Make sure you stay visible for truck drivers. Staying visible for truck drivers, and for all vehicles in general, makes it much easier for them to recognize that you’re a pedestrian and would make it more likely for them to know in advance that they should be careful around you. Try as much as possible to wear bright clothes and reflective clothes if possible. If you can carry a glow stick or a flashlight, especially at night, do so in order to stand out in traffic.
- Make sure you follow guidelines and traffic regulations. One of the most important methods of keeping yourself safe from accidents is to remember that while truck drivers are obligated to help make sure you stay safe, you are also responsible for your safety. As such, make it a habit to constantly take note and follow relevant traffic regulations in your area.
Conclusion
If there’s anything the above may tell you, it’s that truck accidents are generally avoidable with the proper observance of safety tips above. Due to the large nature of trucks, they pose quite a dangerous threat in an accident. However, while truck drivers themselves are instructed to try their best to keep their truck and their cargo uninvolved in accidents, so should you as a pedestrian and/or a fellow driver. A truck accident lawyer might be of assistance if you’re looking into the legal aspects of truck accidents.
