The Biggest “Myths” About 18 Wheeler Attorney May Actually Be Right
How to Avoid 18 Wheeler Accidents It can be devastating for anyone you love when they are involved in a car accident. These accidents can cause serious injuries and alter your life forever. A lawyer who has experience in truck accidents can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're due for your losses. This can be a stressful time, but a seasoned attorney will keep you focused on getting better. 1. Speeding The pedestrians and drivers alike are at risk if they drive too fast. This type of behavior can cause fatal crashes, including wrongful death or serious injury. Speeding up can result in higher insurance costs and points added to the driver's driving record. If an accident happens with an 18-wheeler it can be devastating. These huge trucks carry massive weights. This means they can cause a significant amount of damage to smaller vehicles which crash into them. This can be very painful for the occupants of the smaller vehicle that is damaged and could cause life-threatening injuries depending on the nature of the collision. Fortunately, there are things that drivers can do to reduce their risk of being involved in an 18 wheeler accident. The first step is to avoid all forms of speeding. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration according to the agency, speeding was responsible for one-third of the traffic deaths that occurred in 2020. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Another common mistake drivers make is to drive too fast for the conditions like when it's raining, or when the road is being repaired. This can cause accidents with other vehicles such as pedestrians or motorcycle riders. Speeding is a particular risk for drivers who are young. 18 wheeler accident law firm murrieta are less likely to have the experience and understanding of older drivers when it comes down to the law. Drivers who are tired or drunk may be more likely to drive over the speed limit or drive at a speed that is too quickly for the conditions. This is due to the fact that they might not be paying at all to the road ahead or might not be aware of how close they are to other cars and trucks. In addition driving too fast for the conditions could cause a driver to run into a red light or stop signal. This can increase the risk of a car accident. This is especially risky for drivers of 18-wheelers, which are bigger than passenger vehicles. 2. Beware of passing trucks. You may need to travel by a truck while on an interstate or highway. In these situations it's crucial to drive carefully to avoid a collision. They weigh more than passenger cars, therefore they take longer to stop and slow down. You should give them enough time to respond to your signals and turn to the left when passing. You should always allow at least four seconds between your vehicle and the truck you're traveling by. This ensures that you'll have plenty of time to react to their actions and avoid collisions. Additionally it is not advisable to cut between a truck and a vehicle to change lanes or exit the highway. This can be dangerous, since a truck's blind spot may make it difficult for the driver to see you. They may also be distracted by their cell phone or other device, which could result in them losing control of the vehicle. Maintain a safe distance between you and the truck, especially when driving in the left lane of a divided highway or a street that is one-way. You can avoid the blind areas of the truck and stay out of the range of fire in the event that they lose control or get jackknifed. Be sure to notify them prior to indicating your intentions and allow them ample time to respond. This will help you avoid collisions, and improve your chances to avoid a serious accident. If you're on a 2-lane highway or an interstate, you should never cross a double solid white line or a broken yellow line when crossing. This could result in serious accidents, and also cause issues for other drivers. It's not necessary to be scared of a commercial truck that is large. You can help yourself and avoid accidents with 18-wheelers by following these simple steps. Contact our team at Cesar Ornelas Law for a free consultation today to find out whether you're eligible for compensation after being injured in a crash with an 18-wheeler. 3. Try to move away from the way 18 wheelers, also referred as tractor-trailers, are huge machines that are used to transport cargo across the country. It is important to be aware of what to look out for when driving. Staying out of the way is the most effective way to avoid an 18-wheeler crash. Don't drive directly in the direction of a commercial truck, and you should always allow enough room when merging or passing. Another tip is to avoid blind spots on a truck. These areas include behind the cab as well as both sides of the truck. The cab is generally the most difficult part of the truck to view, and a well-placed mirror could make a major difference. If you do need to merge, you should signal clearly so the trucker can anticipate your intentions. The best way to accomplish this is to turn on your hazard lights and switch on your headlights when you move towards the vehicle in front of you. There is a possibility that the trucker won't be able to be able to see your vehicle and may not be able to slow down in time to avoid a crash. The vehicle could also have a high center of gravity. This could cause the driver to lose control and could hit you from the front or back. Being out of the way of an 18 wheeler isn't just the most attractive thing you can do on the road, but it's also the safest. The most significant danger is that a rogue truck could turn into a deadly wreck. Other dangers include a car which could crash into you at the bend or have a hot break which could cause an accident. 4. Try to pass a driver vehicle As drivers, you've probably experienced this frustrating scene on the road and are stuck behind a big truck and you have to pass it in order to get to your destination. If you don't handle it correctly, it can result in 18-wheeler accidents. The truth is that passing trucks can be dangerous for both parties involved particularly in winter weather conditions when being more cautious is essential to remain safe on the road. In fact, 75 percent of all commercial vehicle accidents are caused by drivers of passenger vehicles, so it's important to be aware of what not to do when trying to pass trucks. Be aware that semis are larger than passenger cars. This is because their long trailers block the driver's view of the road, which is why it is important to pay focus when trying to pass them. When passing, try to keep to the left and leave plenty of room around the vehicle. This will prevent you from being hit by a vehicle, which is a common occurrence in 18-wheeler collisions. Be aware that the brakes of trucks require more time to slow down than those of a car. It's also essential to give the truck enough distance to stop when it's approaching your vehicle. Be on the lookout for tire blowouts, which can send debris flying across the road and into your lane. Also, a semi-trailer might drift into your lane. This can be risky particularly in windy conditions. Also, make sure you use your turn signals when you pass a truck. This will let the truck driver see you, and it will allow them to be aware of when it is safe to change lanes. Taking all these factors to consider will help you navigate safely on the road with trucks. Contact the experienced 18-wheeler collision attorneys at Cesar Ornelas law for no-cost consultation if you've been involved in an accident that involved trucks. We can help you claim damages for your injuries as well as property damage.