With more vehicles on New York highways than ever before, sharing the road is critical. The trucking industry is a vital part of the U.S. economy, and safely sharing the road requires extra precautions. The team at Brenna Boyce PLLC Attorney at Law often represents clients catastrophically injured in a collision with a tractor-trailer truck.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company reports that driving near big trucks is different than when traveling alongside passenger vehicles. Due to their size, their blind spot is bigger; they need more time to stop and require more space to maneuver. It also takes more time to pass them. As a result, you must take appropriate action:
- Maintain a steady speed.
- Make sure you can see the cab of the truck in your rearview mirror before pulling back into their lane.
- Passing on the left maximizes visibility.
- When an 18-wheeler passes you, reduce your speed slightly. This makes it easier for the truck to get around your car.
Negotiating right turns is more complicated for commercial vehicles than cars and light duty trucks. Tractor trailers must often swing left before turning right. When accomplishing this maneuver, the driver cannot see you coming up on his or her right side.
The most common reason for collisions between big rigs and passenger vehicles is when one or both drivers engage in unsafe driving habits. Refrain from texting and make sure you maintain a safe distance when following a semi-truck. If you cannot see the side view mirror, the truck driver cannot see you.
Understanding and following the proper etiquette when sharing the road with a big rig is crucial to keeping yourself and those riding with you safe. However, if you collide with a commercial truck due to the driver’s negligence, you may have grounds for a claim. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.
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