Tips to Avoid Truck Accidents
Sharing the road with large trucks can undoubtedly be intimidating, especially since a collision could result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. Although driving near 18-wheelers can be nerve-wracking, there are some practical safety measures that both can take to prevent bad truck wrecks on South Carolina roads.
At Wilson Law Group, LLC, safety always comes first. Our truck accident lawyers recently compiled the following safety tips to help you learn what you can do to avoid a truck crash. Keep reading to learn more.
South Carolina Large Truck Accident Statistics
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates there were 499,000 police-reported accidents involving large trucks in the United States in a recent year. Of that number, 4,415 of these crashes were fatal. Additional statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report that 72 percent of those killed in semi-truck accidents are occupants of the other vehicles, not the truck itself.
In South Carolina, 82 people died in tractor-trailer accidents in a single year alone, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Other types of truck accidents took the lives of another 31 individuals.
Tips to Prevent Truck Accidents
Although you can’t control the behavior of others, you can do your part to drive safely around big trucks. Follow these safety tips:
- Always use turn signals: Make sure that truck drivers know when you are turning or slowing down. This gives them ample time to adjust to changes in traffic.
- Slow down in construction zones: Large trucks are constantly moving in and out of work zones. Slow down and use caution in these areas.
- Avoid distractions and cell phone use: Don’t talk or text on your cell phone. Pay close attention to your surroundings.
- Keep tabs on the weather: Road conditions can impact a truck driver’s ability to stop. Watch for inclement weather to leave extra space between your vehicle and the truck.
- Avoid the truck’s blind spots: All cars have blind spots, but they are much larger for commercial motor vehicles. If you can’t see the driver’s face in their mirror, they can’t see you.
- Don’t tailgate: Although most trucks have rear underride guards on the back of their trucks, do not follow too closely. While these bars can help prevent a smaller vehicle from going under the truck if a rear-end accident occurs, they can still cause considerable damage to small passenger vehicles and their occupants.
- Give trucks space: Tire blowouts or falling cargo can cause serious damage to nearby vehicles. Sudden braking and high winds may also make the movements of large trucks difficult to predict, so keeping your distance is always wise to avoid an 18-wheeler accident.
Tips for Truckers to Avoid Accidents
As operators of massive motor vehicles, truck drivers have a duty to drive with special care. Tips for truckers include:
- Avoid distractions.
- Don’t drive while fatigued.
- Regularly inspect your truck.
- Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Don’t speed.
- Know what you’re hauling and who loaded it.
- Plan your route ahead of time.
Hurt? Contact Our Experienced S.C. Truck Accident Lawyers in South Carolina Today
If you were hurt in a truck accident in South Carolina, an experienced lawyer from Wilson Law Group, LLC can help you pursue full and fair compensation from the at-fault party(s). We’re available day or night to answer your questions as you recover from your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation or visit our semi-trailer truck accident lawyer office in Bamberg, SC.