Many drivers believe truck drivers are bullies and hog the road. But, 18 wheelers have blind spots in front, on both sides, and behind the tractor-trailer. Because of this, semi-truck drivers often are not able to see other cars and may move over forcing you out of the way without even knowing you are there.
Now – this is no excuse for those drivers. But, you need to be aware and take precautions to protect yourself!
Semi-truck blind spots are big, on all sides, and not easy to avoid. By knowing about them, you can protect yourself and your family.
Here is an illustration showing the blind spots for a typical 18-wheeler. Stay out of these areas when driving.
DANGER ZONES
- 20 feet in front
- On both sides
- 30 feet behind
Stay out of these “danger zones” when driving near an 18-wheeler. By doing this, you can drastically reduce your odds of an unfortunate encounter with the semi-truck.
Driving alongside a big truck puts you and your family in the danger zone. Consider speeding up or slowing down so you take yourself and your family out of harm’s way.
The driver’s side blind spot on a tractor-trailer is smaller than on the passenger side. So, you should pass on the driver’s side if possible.
You should never tailgate a tractor-trailer either. The driver cannot see you if you are closer than 30 feet to the trailer.
You should also remember that big rigs take up to 40% longer to stop than cars and pickup trucks. This makes driving in front of a big truck extremely dangerous when they are right behind you. If possible and safe, change lanes so that you are not directly in front of a big rig.
If you are in a crash with an 18-wheeler, a disabling injury is likely to happen to you.
Most deaths and injuries in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants.
The trucks weigh 20-30 times as much as your car and have significant ground clearance, which can result in your vehicle getting stuck under the trucks in crashes.
Contact an 18-wheeler accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash is an important first step in protecting your legal rights. There is sensitive and important onboard computer data that may be critical to your case that must be preserved.
Call the disabling injury attorney at Louisiana Disability Law at (985) 240-9773 or use the contact form.
Sources:
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/large-trucks/fatalityfacts/large-trucks
