What Every Driver Should Know: How Your Actions Can Impact Truck Safety and Your Legal Options After an Accident

Cuando un commercial truck crashes, the first place most people look is the truck’s driver. Commercial truck driver error can and does cause crashes. Yet truck drivers aren’t the only drivers on the road who can cause a collision. Drivers of other vehicles around a commercial truck can easily trigger a crash that injures other motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists. 

Here are five common ways that another vehicle driver can cause a large commercial truck to crash, and how to avoid them in your own driving. 

Driving in a Truck’s Blind Spot

Trucks have large blind spots on each side of the trailer and directly behind the truck. Cars that drive in these areas put themselves and others at risk. If the driver doesn’t see the vehicle enter the blind spot, they have no way of knowing the other car is so close to the truck. 

According to InvestigateTV.com, about 300 people are killed each year by truckers’ blind spots. A driver may try to switch lanes or make an emergency maneuver, which can trigger a collision, especially if the car in the blind spot has nowhere to go. 

To avoid a crash, cars should avoid staying in a trucker’s blind spots for an extended period of time. Pass a truck quickly, always on the left, to minimize the time you spend out of the driver’s sight. Give a truck plenty of following distance so the driver can see you and so you can stop in an emergency. 

Cutting Off a Truck

According to the Administración Federal de Seguridad de los Autotransportes, trucks need nearly two football fields of room to stop. This is about 720 feet in length. Straight trucks also need a longer stopping distance than passenger cars.

This long stopping distance makes it especially dangerous to cut too closely in front of a commercial truck. Drivers who change lanes too quickly in front of a truck or pull out too close to the front of a truck risk triggering a crash. The truck driver may have to slam on the brakes, causing the truck to swerve, jackknife, or roll. Or the driver may need to swerve into another lane, which can also cause a collision. 

Exceso de velocidad

Speed may be a contributing factor in truck and car crashes. Driving faster than the posted speed limit or exceeding the speed limit for road conditions can trigger collisions with commercial trucks. 

A speeding driver may be forced to brake suddenly in front of a truck, for example. When the truck has to suddenly brake and swerve to change direction, it can set off a chain of events that results in serious injuries. 

Weaving Through Traffic

Cutting off trucks, speeding on local Chicago highways, and weaving through traffic pose major risks when driving around large commercial trucks.

Although professional long-haul trucking drivers typically have extensive experience handling their trucks, anything can happen and cause an unexpected collision. Truck drivers should know exactly how large their following distance must be to safely handle their truck.

However, Chicago drivers who weave through traffic and cut off these large trucks diminish a safety buffer. A truck driver may be forced to brake or swerve suddenly to try to avoid colliding with another car. Several factors come into play when investigating long-haul truck and car crashes. Determining fault depends on the evidence and details of each scenario. 

Passing on the Right

Passing a long-haul truck on the right is dangerous for several reasons.

• First, commercial trucks have a larger blind spot on the right than on the left. A long-haul truck driver may not see a passenger vehicle passing on the right. 
• Second, trucks often need extra space on the right side. Large commercial trucks often need more lane space to complete a right turn, for example.

A passenger car that pulls up next to a large truck on the right can be trapped by a truck’s wide right turn. Similarly, a truck attempting to move into a right-hand lane may collide with a vehicle following it on the right. Or a driver stuck on the right side of a truck may be forced to make an emergency maneuver, leading to a crash. 

Speak to an Experienced Chicago Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Today

What caused a large truck to crash? Tracing the chain of events back to its first cause can be tough. Yet it is essential to investigate thoroughly. Only a focused, deep investigation will determine exactly who caused the crash and who is at fault for your serious injuries.

After a truck and car collision, talk to a top-rated Chicago commercial truck accident lawyer. The team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is committed to a complete investigation and strong advocacy for each client we represent. We have experience handling both truck and car accident cases; each requires a different approach when crafting a compelling case. To learn more, reach out to us today. Schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable lawyers today.