Sharing the Road With Trucks
Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Accident & Injury, Car Accident, Truck Accident on February 4, 2021
When sharing the road with a semi-trailer truck, it is essential to follow safety guidelines. The fact is, most deaths in large truck crashes involve occupants of passenger vehicles. Smaller vehicles—and the people in them—are vulnerable. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars. They are taller and have greater ground clearance. This can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes.
Important Facts
Courtesy of Drivers Education USA, here are a few important facts that you should know about larger vehicles such as semi-trailer trucks, buses or RVs:
- Larger vehicles need more distance to stop.
- Larger vehicles require more space to maneuver and make right turns.
- Larger vehicles have several blind spots.
Safety Tips for Motorists
From AAA:
- Keep both hands on the wheel when you pass a truck or when a truck passes you.
- Leave plenty of room between you and a truck when coming to a stop on a hill.
- Do not speed up when a truck is passing you. Instead, stay to the right and slow down slightly. Let the truck pass you.
- If a truck driver is signaling to change lanes, give him or her space. An average truck changing lanes at highway speeds needs an eight-second gap (700 feet)—that’s the length
of 2 1/2 football fields.
Safety Tips for Truck Drivers
From AAA:
- Double-check your mirrors before turning right.
- Signal early and often when maneuvering through and around intersections.
- Do not tailgate.
- Leave extra space between your truck and cars around you whenever possible.
- Use proper parking areas when pulling off the road. Trucks are four times more likely to be rear-ended than cars.
If you or a loved one were involved in an accident with a truck, contact the Ohio trucking accident lawyers at Elk & Elk. To schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights and options, call 1-800-ELK-OHIO or contact us online.
Jay M. Kelly III - Managing Partner
Meet Jay M. Kelley III, a top medical malpractice attorney in Ohio with over 25 years of experience and $200 million in verdicts and settlements. He leads Elk + Elk’s litigation strategy in state and federal courts and has a unique background as a former felony prosecutor and hospital defense lawyer. Jay specializes in complex cases, including birth injuries and wrongful death, and is recognized by Best Lawyers and ranked among the Super Lawyers Top 10 in Ohio.
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