text or call for a Free Consultation
We have all had that feeling on the roadways when we pull up near a large commercial truck. That feeling is a moment of fear. These vehicles are incredibly large, particularly when compared to other types of vehicles on the roadway. Accidents involving large commercial trucks can result in severe injuries, which is why it is incredibly important to drive carefully around semi-trucks. Here, we want to give five tips for sharing the roadway with semi-trucks in Arizona.
Defensive driving. This is something that we hear about from the moment we begin working to obtain our driver’s licenses. No matter how long you have been driving, it is crucial that you remain vigilant on the roadways, particularly when operating near a large commercial truck. You need to know where a large truck is located, which lane they are in, and stay aware of the truck driver’s actions. When you practice defensive driving, you will be able to react to any changes on the roadway.
Some people do not think twice about getting into a lane right in front of another vehicle. However, this could be detrimental if you cut off a large commercial truck. Semi-trucks require much longer distances to stop, sometimes between one or two football field lengths. If you want to avoid being rear-ended by a semi-truck, you need to make sure that you do not pull in front of the vehicle until you can see and the entire front of the truck in your rearview mirror.
Large commercial vehicles have significant blind spots, typically referred to as “No-Zones” by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). When a smaller vehicle is inside of a truck’s blind spots, the driver of the truck cannot see them. This could lead to a severe accident if the truck driver decides to change lanes or make a sudden turn.
When you are passing a semi-truck, whether on a two-lane road or whether there are multiple lanes going in the same direction, you should do so as safely and as quickly as you can. When you are passing a semi-truck, do not linger on either side, because this will put you inside of the truck driver’s blind spots. Use your turn signals and increase your speed to get past the truck.
If you are driving around larger commercial trucks at night, you should keep your high beams off when you are passing or near a large truck. When you use your high beams, the reflection of your lights inside of a truck driver’s mirrors can essentially blind them.
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a truck accident in Scottsdale, Arizona, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The reality is that these cases can become incredibly complicated, but an attorney will be able to help you investigate a claim and recover the compensation you are entitled to.