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Commercial trucks are several times taller, longer and heavier than even the largest passenger vehicles on the road. That means that they create unique concerns for the people driving them. Commercial truck drivers have to go through special educational programs to safely manage large commercial trucks, and standard driving school usually includes lessons on sharing the road safely. As someone in a passenger vehicle, you want to avoid getting into a collision with a commercial truck, as their size makes it highly likely that you will suffer devastating injuries or catastrophic property damage. Knowing how to stay out of the big blind spots around a commercial truck can help keep you safe. Pay attention when driving close to commercial trucks The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises that all drivers avoid the blind spots around big trucks. Even with large mirrors, the drivers may not see you if you drive too close to the truck. You want to leave at least 20 feet between the back of your vehicle and the front of a commercial truck at all times. Remember, they take much longer to stop than smaller vehicles do, and take extra care when merging in front of a truck. You also want to make sure there are at least 30 feet between the front of your vehicle and the back of a commercial truck in case either of you needs to stop quickly, as underride crashes often prove fatal for the person in the smaller vehicle. Finally, you want to avoid driving directly to the left of the trailer attached to the truck, as well as in the two lanes directly to the right of the truck. By avoiding these areas, you reduce the potential for a crash.

Whenever you’re driving a semitruck, it is important to think about how the truck differs from a passenger vehicle and what that can mean for you. One of the biggest differences, of course, is weight. Your standard car likely runs between 3,000 pounds and 4,000 pounds. Some SUVs and pickup trucks weigh a bit more. While two tons may sound like a lot, a semi weighs far more. The maximum weight allowed by law is 80,000 pounds. It does vary depending on fuel and the weight of the load itself, but it’s significantly more than a car. One way that this impacts driving is in terms of stopping distances. If you drove at 65 miles per hour in your car and then hit the brakes, you would need over 300 feet to stop. Your car would cover an entire football field. If a truck driver tried to stop from 65 mph, though, a truck that weighed in at 80,000 pounds would need more like 525 feet before it came to a stop. That’s almost twice as far as your car. Even with many wheels providing braking power, a heavy truck just cannot stop quickly. In some cases, this leads to rear-end accidents when truck drivers do not leave enough space between the truck and the next car or when they do not hit the brakes in time. You may stop quickly and then get hit from behind by an out-of-control semi. An accident like this is difficult to avoid and can lead to serious injuries, so you need to know what legal options you have.

Trucker fatigue is a significant problem on the highways and city streets around the country. These individuals often work long hours to ensure that their cargo makes it from the starting point to the final destination. Some of these loads are time sensitive, so they can’t be delayed. This often results in many miles traversed each shift. Many individuals don’t realize that truckers who are fatigued aren’t always running on lack of sleep. There are many other causes that can lead to this issue. For example, having to drive in a hot and stuffy truck can do it, so truckers who don’t have suitable climate control systems in their rigs are at risk of this. Monotonous driving, wet weather and driving on roads that are familiar can also lead to trucker fatigue. Highway hypnosis is also possible. This usually occurs when they are driving during the overnight hours when most humans are sleeping because it impacts the circadian rhythm. Some truckers have to do other physical labor, which can also lead to fatigue. If they are forced to load and unload the truck before they drive, the exertion they face could negatively impact their ability to drive safely. This is one reason why nondriving hours are addressed in regulations that outline how long these truckers can drive. Individuals who are struck by a trucker who was suffering from fatigue might need to determine the underlying cause of the fatigue. This could help them in their claim for compensation since it enables them to show negligence. These claims seek to recover damages for medical bills and other expenses that are directly related to the injuries caused by the crash.

Sometimes, external factors contribute to major motor vehicle collisions. For example, inclement weather conditions like icy roads or high winds can make it much harder to control vehicles, especially larger, heavier vehicles like commercial trucks. However, in most collisions, behaviors on the part of one or more of the drivers involved play more of a role than outside factors do in the collision. You might imagine that with all the extra training and regulations that truck drivers have to deal with that they wouldn’t make mistakes at the wheel that could endanger them and others. Still, truckers are human and prone to the same kinds of mistakes as everyone else. Three behavioral issues in particular can create risk for everyone else on the road. Long days on the road can drive someone to distraction Think about how bored you get during your commute to work each day. Now imagine that instead of 30 to 60 minutes, you were driving for eight or even 12 hours at a time. Many commercial truck drivers follow the same route day after day or week after week. Much like your route to work which has become monotonous and dull, so, too, can their work and routes become mind-numbing. To push back against that boredom or combat the strain that long hours can place on a relationship, commercial truck drivers may choose to make unsafe decisions, such as texting or even using social media while driving. Distraction in commercial truck drivers is particularly dangerous, as it increases their reaction time while in control of a vehicle that already takes longer than others to stop or turn. Additionally, the massive size of commercial vehicles creates the risk of catastrophic damage to the smaller passenger vehicle involved in a crash. Commercial truck drivers often work too many hours Commercial truck drivers have to deliver the loads assigned to them on a very tight schedule. On top of needing to earn enough money to support themselves and their families, they have to fulfill their obligations to their employer, who may need to have a lot of driving done in any given week. The Hours of Service rules set by the federal government limit truck drivers to no more than 11 active driving hours in a single shift with a mandated 10-hour break afterward. However, those rules don’t consider the commute at the beginning or the end of the shift. Drivers may have to spend quite a bit of their 10-hour break doing chores or self-care instead of sleeping. The less sleep a trucker gets, the more likely they are to experience fatigue or exhaustion, which can impair their driving ability much like alcohol. Intoxicating substances are particularly dangerous for commercial drivers It is both illegal and dangerous for anyone to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after having consumed too much alcohol, used recreational drugs or taken many different kinds of prescription medications. Unfortunately, people can and do still drive when they know that chemical impairment could affect their abilities. Truck drivers could choose to drive while under the influence of powerful cold medication, for example, if they feel like they can’t call in sick to work. Someone else might get called into a shift they don’t want to turn down after having spent the afternoon drinking with their friends. Regardless of the circumstances, impairment on the part of commercial drivers is dangerous for them and for the people who share the road with them.

The size and weight of semitrucks make these vehicles rather dangerous, but most truckers know how to operate the rigs safely. In order to do this, however, they must be fully cognizant of what’s going on at all times. Any kind of impairment decreases the public’s safety. One particular issue that is on the rise now is marijuana. With the legalization of this drug in more states for both recreational and medicinal use, steps are being taken to increase the oversight for all drivers, including truckers. Any driver who is high on marijuana can cause major safety issues. They might not make decisions based on what is safe, which can impact every vehicle around them. When it comes to truckers, the laws are clear. They are forbidden to use marijuana — even for medical purposes — and then drive. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s regulations cover this point. Just like any other high-powered drug, marijuana can affect motor control, reflexes and decision-making skills, so drivers can’t risk it. Unfortunately, there are always going to be some people who skirt the rules or decide that they can somehow get away with impaired driving. The widespread availability of marijuana may make the temptation too much to resist. The victims of impaired trucking accidents often suffer serious injuries that require costly medical care and might prevent the victim from being able to work. If you’ve suffered a serious injury in a trucking accident and you believe (or know) that the driver was impaired due to marijuana, it’s smart to talk to an attorney about your rights and options.

Truckers who are on the roads must ensure that they are able to drive under the current conditions. One huge issue in this industry is that these truckers might drive too fast for the conditions on the road. Unfortunately, this can lead to crashes that injure or kill people who were just trying to go on with their normal life. There are some specific conditions in which truckers might need to slow down. One that comes to mind right away is the weather. When it is rainy, snowy or icy, the trucker will need extra time to react to hazards and to stop. This means that it likely isn’t going to be safe to push the speed limits. Another time when they might not be able to drive at the normal speed limit is when there is debris on the road. This can include loose gravel and similar conditions. Instead of trying to chance it, they should slow down some. Truckers also need to go with the flow of traffic. This is especially important in a traffic jam because they won’t be able to stop suddenly when someone slams on their brakes. As you can imagine, a semitruck slamming into the back of a car can lead to a devastating situation for the occupants of the car. If you are struck by a trucker and suffer an injury, you might decide that you are going to seek compensation. You need to make a mental note about the road conditions and anything else that might have contributed to the crash. This might be important in the case that you are presenting.

The average trucker on the road today is around 55 years old. These individuals will be retiring in the upcoming years, but there aren’t enough younger truckers to take the loads that these individuals are hauling. The shortage of truckers is getting more serious as time progresses. It is estimated that there will be a shortage of around 900,000 in this country by 2027. You might wonder why this is important to the general public. For one thing, a lot of freight can’t be moved without the help of truckers. Another problem of the shortage is the impact it has on road safety when truckers push their limits. There are limitations on the number of hours they can drive per shift and on a rolling 7-day or 8-day week. Truckers forced to drive long hours or take longer hauls run the risk of operating their rigs while they are fatigued. There is sometimes very little they can do to combat this fatigue because of the tight deadlines that trucking companies often have for these loads. Individuals who are struck by a fatigued trucker might question why the driver didn’t just stop and rest. This is only one of the questions that might come up if the injured parties choose to pursue claims for compensation for the injuries they suffered. Just remember that if you are in this position, you need to consider your options carefully but quickly since you only have a limited amount of time to get the lawsuit filed without your case proscribing and leaving you without legal recourse.

Anyone who is on the interstates should ensure that they are driving safely. Not only are these roads likely to have considerable traffic, but the speed of vehicles also makes this a dangerous location to drive. There are also semitrucks, which can further increase the danger for people who are in passenger vehicles. It is easy to understand why this is a dangerous situation. Those semitrucks are large and heavy, especially when they are carrying a fully loaded trailer. Many different factors can lead a semitruck to slam into another vehicle. This can be because of actions the trucker takes, things other drivers do, or issues with the truck or load. It is imperative that the individuals who operate these big rigs know how to handle a variety of situations so they can avoid slamming into innocent people. When an accident does occur, the person in the smaller vehicle can suffer from very serious injuries. This often necessitates the need for urgent medical care, which can be very costly. There really isn’t any reason why the innocent victim should be left to cover the financial cost of the crash. Instead, they might seek compensation for those damages. We are here to help these individuals learn about the possibilities for their case. Once they know what they can do, we help formulate a plan and put it into motion. We want to see victims of accidents get the compensation they deserve and will fight on their behalf to make that happen. Just remember that if you are in this position, you need to take these steps quickly because state laws do set time limits on how long you have to file your claim.

Semitrucks provide a valuable service to businesses and consumers, but this doesn’t come without a serious risk. The size of these trucks and the weight mean that they are potentially deadly weapons that are moving about freely on the interstates. If you are struck by a semitruck on the interstate, you should determine whether you need to seek compensation or not. By seeking compensation, you are trying to shift the financial difficult to the liable party. Accidents with semitrucks are a bit different from some other vehicles. One of the primary tasks you will have in these cases is trying to determine what happened that led to the wreck. Depending on the answer to this can clue you into who you can hold liable for the wreck. Truckers are sometimes at fault for crashes because they might be driving drunk, intoxicated or distracted. In all three of these cases, the driver is being negligent, which can be the basis of a personal injury claim. There are cases in which the trucker might not be the liable party. This is sometimes the case when the trucking company promised very tight deadlines. It is also possible that a defective component, such as bad brakes might cause a problem. These cases could mean that you hold the trucking company or mechanics accountable. It might also mean that the manufacturer is responsible for your damages. It is imperative that we look into all possible causes of the crash so that we know what options you have. We will review those with you so that you can move forward in the manner you feel is best for your life.

Many hazards come with driving a semitruck. One major hazard that many people might not think about, however, is having a semi’s load suddenly shift. The fact of the matter is that cargo shifting is one of the leading causes of big rig accidents. Some of these might not involve other vehicles, but it can be fatal when they do. The only way that a cargo shift accident can be prevented is to properly secure the contents of the trailer from the start. No matter who puts the cargo on the truck and secures it, the trucker should double check everything before heading out. They should also take a look at it when they stop for any reason. There is no such thing as being too safe when it comes to this aspect of their job. One thing that people must remember when they are securing cargo is that the truck is eventually going to be in motion. The cargo is usually the heaviest component of the rig, so it is imperative that it isn’t going to fling around when the truck is in motion. It is unrealistic to think that semitrucks are only going to drive in a straight line, without bouncing or other sudden motions. Instead, anyone who is securing freight should assume that the trucker is going to hit rough patches of road and have to turn often. This can help them to ensure that they are strapping things down in a way that isn’t going to shift when the truck is in motion. When another vehicle is struck because of a shifting load, the occupants might suffer serious injuries. They may choose to seek compensation from the liable entities.

Large commercial trucks move everything from freshly-brewed beer to produce across the country. Road transportation helps keep costs for consumers and retailers low. Trucking is also a solid career choice that doesn’t require secondary education. Commercial drivers do have to attend special driving schools, but it is a far cry from a multiple-year degree. Additionally, truck drivers can earn a solid wage that allows them to support themselves and their family members. In other words, commercial trucking has a net positive impact on the United States economy. However, commercial trucks have a negative effect on overall safety on the roads. Every year, thousands of people die or wind up severely injured after collisions with commercial vehicles. Many different factors contribute to crash rates with commercial vehicles. Many of these contributing factors stem from trucker behaviors. Exhaustion, impairment and distraction are all risk factors related to how truckers perform their jobs. These are issues that other drivers have no influence over. However, there is one factor that contributes to crashes that other drivers can control. Learn and avoid the blind spots around trucks Because of their massive size, commercial trucks have larger blind spots than passenger vehicles. Even with extra mirrors in place, commercial truckers may not be able to see people driving on any side of their truck in close proximity. One of the best ways for people on the road to mitigate the risk related to driving close to commercial trucks is to give them plenty of space. The large blind spots around commercial trucks exist on all sides. Ideally, you should avoid driving directly to either side of, in front of or behind a commercial truck. Never merge into the 20 feet in front of a truck, and stay more than 30 feet behind them. If possible, avoid the lane directly to the left and two lanes to the right of a commercial truck’s trailer. People in vehicles have rights when they get hurt by truckers Even if you do everything in your power to avoid a truck’s blind spots, that doesn’t completely eliminate the dangers of sharing the road with commercial trucks. Commercial truck drivers can still wind up causing injuries to you or the passengers in your vehicle if they make mistakes. If that happens, be sure to assert your right immediately after the collision. Speaking with an attorney who understands personal injury law is a good first step. Your lawyer can advise you of what forms of compensation may be available to you and the best tactics for connecting with them. They can also help you avoid common mistakes that people make after a crash that limit the success of their claims or lawsuits.