Tips For Car Drivers Sharing The Road With Commercial Trucks Winter
by Kenneth Pierce
Winter is a time for bad road conditions, when travel can be difficult for many drivers. It's at times like this when sharing the roads with large trucks can seem like a burden for many drivers. These tips will help prevent accidents, and prepare you for the event of an accident.
Know how to Pass Safely
The American Trucking Association (the ATA) recommends that automobile drivers who pass trucks on the road should not cut back in front of a truck until they can see the truck's headlights. This allows for a safe stopping distance between the truck and the car, should a sudden stop be necessary.
Maintain a Safe Distance Between Your Car and the Trucks in Front of You
Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and may require the length of a single football field to stop. Maintaining a safe driving distance is critical for the safely of you and your passengers. The recommended distance to maintain between a truck in front of you and your own vehicle is approximately 20 to 25 car lengths.
Many drivers find this distance to be unrealistic on congested roadways. To prevent problems, avoid driving behind trucks. On multi-lane highways and interstates, many commercial trucks choose to drive on the right-hand side of the road. If you are unable to maintain a safe distance between your car and the truck in front of you, keep to the left-hand side of the road, away from trucks, whenever possible.
Know What to Do in the Event of an Accident
Injuries are common when commercial trucks and automobiles collide. If you are involved in this type of accident, pull over to the side of the road (if possible), and ask your fellow passengers if they're alright. If any injuries have been sustained, call for medical help. Even if injuries have not been sustained, you'll want to contact the authorities to file a report. Write down the truck's license plate number and the state. Take pictures of your car's damage, and any damage to the truck. Get insurance information from the truck driver. Write down the date, time, location and events leading up to the accident.
Hopefully you'll stay safe on the roads this winter. However, if you or your passengers are injured in an accident with a truck, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a truck accident lawyer, like Master Weinstein Shatz Moyer, P.C., with a reputation for excellence, and seek the compensation you deserve.
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As the sister of a law student, I thought that I could handle my own personal injury case when I was hit by a vehicle as I was walking across the street. Luckily, the car wasn't going very fast – but I did end up with a contusion and a broken leg. Turns out the process wasn't easy and I ended up hiring a lawyer. I learned a lot about the kind of information needed to win a personal injury case such as the kind of evidence that is effective and the types of documentation needed from the insurance company, employers, and even witnesses that were at the scene. My name is Rebecca, and I created this website to help guide you through your personal injury case. There is no reason for you to feel alone throughout the process, and I hope my insight helps you feel more empowered with your decision making.
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