Have you ever felt intimidated by a truck on the road? Well, it’s natural. Even the thought of getting into an accident with a truck is bone-chilling. According to statistics, about 4,965 people died in accidents involving large trucks in 2020.
You can’t stop driving due to the fear of having to share the road with trucks. However, what you can do is ensure road safety and avoid any reckless actions that may put you at risk of getting into an accident.
If you’re in Minneapolis, you’ll be shocked by the recorded number of accidents involving trucks. Out of all the road accidents in Minnesota, 10.6% involved large trucks (1.2% of the total number of trucks present in the state). Looks like the state has some pretty rough truck drivers! In case you’ve been in a truck accident, you should hire the best Minneapolis truck accident lawyers to file a lawsuit and get you the compensation you deserve!
To help you stay safe, we’ve listed 5 of the most important tips that you should follow to avoid truck accidents.
1. Leave Some Space between Your Car and the Truck
The first and most important tip that’ll help you avoid truck accidents is to leave some space between your car and the truck. Trucks are large in size, and they need more space to turn. It also takes trucks more time to stop. Ideally, there should be at least 4 seconds of space between your vehicle and the truck so that when the truck turns or stops, you have enough space in between, and you don’t end up colliding.
2. Avoid Getting into a Truck’s Blind Spots
A truck has blind spots on all four sides. Blind spots are the spots where the driver can’t see you. Ideally, if you can’t see the driver’s face in the rearview mirror, they can’t see you. Also, considering the large size of trucks, the size of the blind spots is larger. You shouldn’t drive within 20 feet in the front of the truck, 30 feet behind the truck, one lane on the truck’s left, and two lanes on the truck’s right. Keeping a safe distance from the truck and staying out of blind spots will enhance your road safety around trucks.
3. Pass the Truck Quickly If You Have To
One way to avoid getting into an accident with a truck is to pass by the truck as quickly as it’s safely possible. Try not to hover next to the truck for too long because the longer you do, the higher the chances of an accident. However, if you think the truck will turn, you must never try to pass by it as trucks take up a lot of space when turning, and if you’re anywhere near the turn range, your vehicle may collide with the truck.
4. Avoid Distractions
If a truck is nearby, try to avoid distractions like using your phone or eating something. You need to practice caution around trucks. The moment you get distracted is the moment you expose yourself to the risk of getting into an accident with the truck.
5. Give Clear Indications
Giving clear indications will also help avoid truck accidents. If you wish to overtake the truck, use indicators so that the truck driver knows you wish to pass by them. Indicator lights will inform the truck driver of the side you’ll be passing them by, and they’ll be careful not to change lanes or turn abruptly while you’re passing.
Closing Word
Truck accidents can damage your vehicle and injure you badly. The size of trucks is so big that even a slight collision can do a lot of harm. This is one reason why many people feel scared of sharing the road with them.
Just ensure you’re following the traffic rules and safe driving practices. If you get into a truck accident, all these things will help you make a strong case. You may get into trouble if you’re found guilty of not following safe driving practices! In the case of truck accidents, it’s best to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to decide what the next course of action should be.