Accidents involving trucks are caused by poor road conditions, negligence, unsecured or overloaded cargo and poor vehicle maintenance. Reports from the Office of Traffic Safety in Minnesota show that 4,120 truck crashes occurred in the state in 2021. From this number, 72 were fatalities, and 1,248 were injuries.
Thus, you need to be careful when driving near a truck. Here are two safe tips to employ:
1. Avoid blind spots
Obscured vision is one of the contributing factors to trucking accidents. Due to their size, trucks can have larger blind spots. Common areas are on the sides, behind and below the driver’s window. A truck driver may not see you when you are in these spots. Thus, you should stay away from them.
When you are in a safe place to overtake, signal clearly in advance, approach from the left side and ensure you can see the truck’s side mirror and headlights. Besides, maintain your speed and take time before overtaking. There should be adequate distance before moving into the lane in front of the truck.
2. Don’t tailgate
You should always keep a distance between you and a truck. If a truck stops suddenly and you are so close, you may end up underneath it if you can’t stop in time. A truck can also roll backward, especially on a hill. If you are close, it may run into your vehicle.
Further, a truck’s tire that is improperly inflated or is overworn can result in tread separation. As a result, its air pressure may become too low and explode. This can cause large shards of heavy rubber to fly toward nearby vehicles, leading to accidents.
Being cautious when driving near a truck can prevent accidents. However, if you are involved in a truck accident, you should learn about your rights to get fair compensation.