Whether you’re commuting to work or heading out for a weekend trip, sharing the road with commercial trucks is an everyday reality. These massive vehicles play a huge role in the US economy. They’re in charge of delivering everything from groceries to construction materials.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on job ads, then you’ve probably also noticed the large number of truck driver job ads lately.
The need for truck drivers has risen dramatically in the last couple of years as trucking companies have been expanding and require more manpower. Also, many jump at the opportunity to earn some quick money but they highly underestimate the challenges of being a truck driver.
On top of that, trucks make the roads even more crowded. Plus, truck-related accidents have also increased, and the high frequency of trucks on the roads poses a threat to other vehicles as well.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at why these commercial vehicles are such a risk and how truck accidents can be avoided.
Why trucks are different from passenger cars
First, it’s important to understand why trucks are in a different league from your everyday vehicle. An average passenger car weighs around 3,000 pounds. A fully loaded commercial truck? Up to 80,000 pounds. That’s a massive difference in terms of momentum, stopping power, and damage potential.
In the past 12 months, there were more than 155 fatalities involving heavy trucks across the US.
Trucks also have longer stopping distances and larger blind spots. Also, a large truck isn’t as easy to maneuver.
Even at low speeds, a collision with a commercial truck can cause serious injuries or total a smaller vehicle
The most common causes of truck accidents
Truck drivers undergo specialized training, but accidents still happen—often due to a combination of human error and external factors. Here are some of the most common causes:
1. Blind spot collisions
Many drivers don’t realize how big a truck’s blind spots are. If you can’t see the driver in their side mirror, they probably can’t see you. Merging or changing lanes too closely can lead to devastating side-swipe or underride accidents.
That’s why you shouldn’t overtake a truck until you’re sure it’s safe.
2. Driver fatigue
Truckers often drive long hours to meet tight delivery deadlines. Even though there are federal laws limiting how many hours a trucker can drive in a day, fatigue still plays a major role in many crashes. A tired driver’s reaction time is slower, and they’re more prone to mistakes.
3. High-frequency truck interstates
Certain interstates are known as important crossroads for commercial trucks. For instance, interstates like I-70, I-65, and I-74 crisscrossing the state of Indiana are important points in most of these truck routes and they see a huge amount of commercial truck traffic every day.
This is especially true in and around Indianapolis, which serves as a hub for logistics and distribution centers. Add to that the rush hour and the daily commute, and a truck accident almost seems like a certainty.
If you end up in a truck accident there, outside your state of residency, you’ll need an Indiana truck accident injury attorney to help you get familiar with the regulations and your responsibilities after the accident.
4. Distracted driving
Just like with passenger vehicles, distracted driving is a growing issue in the trucking industry. Phones, GPS devices, eating on the go—it all takes attention away from the road.
If you have a problem with staying focused, try to put your phone and food away from the driver’s seat so that you don’t risk falling into the temptation of checking your messages or answering phone calls.
How to stay safe when driving near trucks
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of being involved in a crash with a commercial truck.
1. Give them room
Whether a truck is turning, merging, or braking, give it plenty of space. Trucks often need more time and room to perform basic maneuvers, and cutting them off can lead to rear-end collisions or worse.
2. Don’t tailgate
Tailgating should be avoided, even if we’re talking about regular passenger vehicles. But following too closely behind a truck is especially a bad idea.
Not only are you in their blind spot, but you also won’t see what’s happening up ahead. If the truck stops suddenly, you could end up sliding underneath the trailer.
3. Be predictable
As a car driver sharing the road with a truck, try to be as predictable as possible. Use your turn signals. Believe it or not, but more than 76% of drivers don’t use their turn signals properly, so don’t follow in their footsteps.
Don’t weave through traffic. Don’t make sudden stops. The more predictable your driving is, the better chance a truck driver has of adjusting to your movements.
The key takeaways: Staying safe on the road with trucks
To avoid that nauseating feeling in your stomach when you’re passing a truck on the road, try to stick to our advice and drive as carefully as possible.
Commercial trucks are a vital part of the transportation system, but they also come with serious risks for everyone on the road. Their sheer size and longer stopping distances mean that accidents involving trucks are often more severe than those involving smaller vehicles. And we’re not just talking about the devastating material damage.
No matter where in the US you’re driving, stay vigilant and make sure to give trucks enough space to move around.
And if you’re ever involved in a crash, don’t try to handle it on your own, especially when large trucking companies have their legal teams, or if you’re not familiar with the legal intricacies of different states.
Instead, reach out to professionals who understand how these cases work and can protect your rights.
