Watch Out for These Dangers When Driving Near a Truck

Commercial trucks are big, powerful machines that need to be taken seriously. They’re used for transporting goods across the country, so you can imagine how dangerous they can be if you get in an accident with one. A truck accident can cause serious damage to your vehicle and even injure or kill you if not dealt with properly.

Tractor-trailers are Dangerous

Tractor trailers are dangerous for many reasons. They are larger than cars, which makes it easier for them to cause more damage if they hit something. Trucks also have bigger blind spots and can be harder to maneuver than an average car or SUV.

If you’re driving near a truck, keep your eyes on the road at all times and make sure you know where other vehicles are in case of an accident—especially if there’s any possibility of debris being thrown from one vehicle into another.

If you’re injured in an accident with a commercial truck, the first order of business is to contact an attorney immediately after a truck accident. A personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and ensure that the other driver is held accountable for their actions.

Keep Your Distance

Keep your distance. If you’re driving behind a truck, give it lots of room, so you don’t end up in its path.
Don’t tailgate. When following behind another vehicle and trying to pass on the right or left side of the rear bumper, be careful not to get too close because this could cause an accident with another car or a motorcycle.

Speed Wisely

The most important thing to remember is that trucks are big, heavy, and can travel at high speeds. If you’re in a car, it’s best not to try and pass them or get close enough so they can’t see you. It’s also essential not to tailgate trucks. Avoid changing lanes without checking your mirrors and blind spots first; if there’s an opening, take advantage of it before getting into trouble by following too closely behind another vehicle.

Avoid the Blind Spots

One of the most dangerous things you can do when driving near a truck is to underestimate how big it really is. Trucks are large, so they have lots of blind spots. The main ones include:

Both sides, front and back
Behind them (and also on either side)

Truck drivers are under a lot of pressure, so you must be careful around them. That said, there are some things you can do to protect yourself in an accident with a tractor-trailer. IMPROV Indiana offers essential defensive driving courses that can help you navigate such situations effectively.

Next time you’re driving near one of these massive machines, keep these tips in mind: stay at least 500 feet away from trucks, use your headlights as much as possible when driving at night (and turn them off when not needed), and avoid driving through blind spots.