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Truck accidents are often fatal and lead to very serious accidents. Understanding some basic principles about trucks, how they operate, etc., can help prevent truck accidents.
In addition, parents of teenage drivers should educate their children about what to look out for in terms of large commercial trucks on the road. Below are 5 things you should know about trucks and truck accidents.
1. Truck accidents peak during the day, not at night. As a general rule, the majority of truck accidents occur during the morning and day time hours, not at night. The main reason is that there is more activity during the day, more people are on the road during the day than at night. In addition, truck accidents tend to occur in rural areas. The main reason is that truck drivers are often unfamiliar with local roads in rural areas.
2. Trucks have large blind spots. As a general rule, if you can’t see a truck’s side mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you. When changing lanes near a truck, a driver should keep in mind that the truck driver might not see the lane change. Therefore, the driver should practice defensive driving.
3. Trucks require additional time to slow down, especially when traveling at high rates of speed. Therefore, it is crucial not to cut in front of a truck. Cutting in front of a truck can cause a serious accident.
4. Do not to pass a truck on the right. When a driver attempts to pass a truck on the right, there’s a good chance the truck driver will not see the driver. If the truck driver attempts to turn right, a very serious accident is likely to occur. Likewise, if a truck is turning left and a driver attempts to pass on the right, the driver will not have full visibility of the traffic ahead and risks causing an accident.
5. Lastly, truck drivers are on the road for long periods of time. Oftentimes, truck companies keep drivers on the road longer than allowed under federal law. This means that truck drivers are often tired. Many resort to drug use, such as amphetamines, to help them stay awake. This leads to an increased risk of truck accidents.
More from our truck accident law library:
Pennsylvania & New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers
To submit your case for review by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey car and truck accident lawyers, call Click To Call. Our lawyers are available for a free, no obligation legal consultation, and can obtain special admission in other states, such as New York or Delaware, on a case by case basis.
**This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Our car and truck accident attorneys serve accident victims in the following areas: Allegheny County, PA; Berks County, PA; Bucks County, PA; Chester County, PA; Delaware County, PA; Lehigh County, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Northampton County, PA: Philadelphia County, PA; Atlantic County, NJ; Burlington County, NJ; Camden County, NJ; Cumberland County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; New Castle County, DE; he County, DE; Atlantic City, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Newark, NJ; Doylestown, PA; Media, PA; West Chester, PA; Norristown, PA; Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Newark, DE; Georgetown, DE; and New Castle, DE. Our lawyers can obtain special admission in other states on a case by case basis.
