A semi-truck accident can leave devastation in its wake when it’s involved in an accident. Much of this is attributable to the size and weight of these vehicles, especially when looked at compared with passenger vehicles. But also, the speed at which truck accidents occur can be tremendous, which is often the case when these big rigs are driven negligently. Far too often, truckers are fatigued, distracted or intoxicated while behind the wheel, which can put you at a real risk of being seriously injured in a truck accident.
To protect yourself as fully as possible, you need to know how to drive defensively around semi-trucks. One of the best ways to do that is to give them space and make sure you’re staying out of their blind spots.
Where are semi-truck blind spots?
Semi-trucks have four major blind spots. One is in front of the truck, covering a distance of about 20 feet. Another is directly behind the truck, stretching as far back as 30 feet. The other two blind spots are to each side of the truck, with the right side of the truck having the biggest blind area, sometimes even stretching two lanes over.
How can you avoid blind spots?
Although these blind spots cover a significant area, there are strategies that you can implement to try to keep yourself safe. Let’s look at some of them:
- Keep a proper distance: One of the best ways to avoid semi-truck blind spots is to give yourself enough distance between them and your vehicle. Generally speaking, you should have about a four-second distance, which will help ensure that the trucker can see you and that you’re able to take evasive maneuvers, if necessary, when the truck hits the brakes.
- Watch for the truck’s mirrors: Generally speaking, if you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, the trucker can’t see you. So, make sure that you’re positioning yourself so that you know you’re being seen.
- Don’t linger: Passing through a blind spot is inevitable. However, you’ll want to get through those zones as quickly as possible to ensure that you’re brought back into view as soon as you can manage. Therefore, make sure that you’re not lingering in a truck’s blind spots, as this will just increase the chances that the trucker will lose track of you and take an action that puts you in danger.
- Avoid switching lanes in front of the truck: Given the blind spot in the front of a big rig, it’s a good idea to avoid changing lanes to move in front of a truck until you’re far enough ahead of it that you can see its headlights in your rearview mirror.
Overall, when you’re driving near semi-trucks, you need to be cognizant of your surroundings and how to maneuver your vehicle so that you stay safe. Always err on the side of caution.
What if you’re injured in a truck accident?
If you’re hurt in a truck accident, you need to hold the driver who harmed you accountable. The best way to do this is to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, which, if successful, may also bring you much needed compensation to offset your damages.
However, these cases can be trickier than they seem, which is why you might find it beneficial to have an experienced legal professional by your side. If you’d like to learn more about what an advocate can do for you under the circumstances, please think about contacting a reputable firm that you think is right for you.
