Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Safety When Driving Near Large Trucks
Large trucks are a necessary part of the supply chain and an integral industry in North Carolina. Semi-trucks are also called 18-wheelers, big rigs, and tractor-trailers. Regardless of their name, these commercial trucks are required for the delivery of all types of products. North Carolina has many highways and roads, most of which we share with big rigs. It is helpful to know some useful driving tips to stay safe while driving near commercial trucks.
Semi-Truck Statistics
Large commercial trucking is a major industry in North Carolina. One out of 15 jobs in the state is in the trucking industry. There are 47,650 trucking companies located in the state. More than 236,000 tons of manufactured products are transported in North Carolina each day. Trucks drive about 8.8 billion miles on North Carolina roads per year. Truck drivers must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and must comply with the state regulations and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules.
Understanding Large Trucks
Large trucks have some potential inherent safety issues. Semi-trucks are big and heavy. Some can weigh more than 80,000 pounds or more when fully loaded with cargo. 18-wheelers have a long trailer, which makes for a number of serious blind spots. Trucks have extra mirrors, but even so, drivers are unable to see areas next to and behind them. Semis have a cab area where the engine and driver compartments are located. The cab attaches to a trailer. When a large truck turns, it requires extra room for the trailer portion.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accident causes are categorized into three main types. These include human errors, mechanical malfunctions, and road conditions. Of these, human error is the most common cause of truck accidents. Often, there is a main cause along with one or more contributing factors. Some of the most common causes are:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Improper training
- Driving while fatigued
- Brake malfunctions
- Tire problems
- Impaired driving
How to Safely Share the Road with Trucks
The North Carolina Trucking Association, along with the American Trucking Association, provides share the road programs. These programs are designed to educate the public about trucks so they are able to safely share the road.
- Stopping distances – Trucks are extremely heavy, and it takes them a lot longer to stop than a typical passenger vehicle. Therefore, truck drivers need to be aware of traffic and road conditions earlier than others. When on the road with trucks, stay further away than you would from other vehicles.
- Blind spots – Trucks are very large and tall, and they have many blind areas. This means that they often cannot see when they want to change lanes or make turns. Other drivers should try not to travel within the blind spots of a truck for any distance.
- Merging – Merging is an essential part of sharing the road with trucks. When you are in a merging situation, be aware that a trucker may not be able to view your car. Give the truck some room to get into a lane, whether merging onto a roadway or changing into a different lane.
- Wide turns – 18-wheelers are long, and making turns in them is more difficult. Trucks usually need to come into another lane in order to make a turn without going off the road or hitting a sign. Stay back from trucks to allow them the room they need.
- Sudden moves – Semi-trucks are not able to make sudden moves on the road like other vehicles. If you make a quick move in front of a truck, they are likely unable to accommodate, and therefore, a crash could result. Don’t make any quick lane changes or sudden stops that may make an accident more likely.
Being aware of trucks on the road will help prevent accidents. If you were involved in an accident with a truck, you may be owed compensation for your injuries. Call us at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 for a free initial consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
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