Any time you find yourself on the road, there’s a very good chance you’ll be driving in close proximity to a high volume of commercial trucks. While these vehicles are essential to the success of many industries, they’re also very dangerous at times.
A car-truck accident has the potential to cause serious injury, death and quite a bit of property damage.
Here are some of the primary causes of these accidents:
- Drowsy driving: Truck drivers don’t always get the rest they need, which results in them driving drowsy and an increased risk of causing an accident.
- Distracted driving: From texting to talking on the phone to eating or drinking, truckers are trained to avoid all distractions. Unfortunately, they don’t always follow this advice.
- Driving under the influence: Drugs, alcohol and prescription medication can alter a trucker’s ability to make sound decisions.
- Reckless driving: This takes on many forms, such as excessive speeding, illegal passing and changing lanes without using a turn signal.
- Unrealistic schedules: When a trucking company sets an unrealistic schedule, it’s more likely that the driver will speed, take risks and not get enough sleep. All of these things increase the risk of an accident.
What should you do?
You may not have any control over the behavior of truck drivers, but you can control the decisions you make. Here are some steps you can take to improve your safety:
- Drive in the right lane and use the left lane for passing
- Always use your turn signals and leave enough space when moving in front of a truck
- Never race a commercial truck (or any other vehicle)
- Take extra caution when merging onto the highway
- Don’t drive in a trucker’s blind spot
After you get into the habit of doing these things, they’ll become second nature.
If you’re injured in a car-truck accident, move your vehicle to the side of the road and call 911 for help. While waiting for police and an ambulance, check yourself for injuries and administer first aid.
After receiving treatment at a local hospital, turn your attention to the cause of the accident and the process for filing an insurance claim in Georgia. The more information you gather, the easier it is to seek compensation from the negligent trucker.
Read our blog and visit our website for more information on motor vehicle accidents and personal injury related topics.