Truck accidents can be more dangerous than car accidents given their size. Depending on what they’re carrying, it could make the accident even more dangerous. There are a few common reasons that truck accidents happen.
Here are some of them to watch out for whether you are driving a truck yourself or near a truck on the road. Being aware of these scenarios may help you avoid an accident and need to contact a Rockford truck accident lawyer to get things cleared up.
Poor Road Conditions
A big factor in accidents is poor road conditions. If the road was poorly designed or has suffered damage that hasn’t been repaired yet, there are likely to be accidents caused by drivers that are unaware that the road is not safe to travel on.
The simplest cause is weather. Rain, snow, high winds, and fog can create dangerous road conditions that even the best drivers might not safely navigate. Trucks are huge, and thus are more likely to be affected by things like wet roads or black ice. They are unable to stop as fast as smaller cars, so even if the truck driver is able to react quickly, physics could well make the truck inevitably crash into something even if the driver does everything right.
There is also the question of maintenance. If a road is improperly maintained, it could develop potholes or have missing barriers that would make it unsafe to drive on. If lane markers get worn down and faded, cars and trucks might have trouble maintaining their lanes and sideswipe each other.
There’s also the matter of poorly designed roads. Sharp turns, blind corners, obstacles blocking signs . . . all of these can make driving dangerous, especially for large trucks if they aren’t properly warned about road conditions up ahead.
Inattentive Drivers
Inattentiveness is probably the biggest factor in road accidents. With a truck, these accidents can be multiplied to staggering amounts. That doesn’t mean that fault would fall entirely on the truck driver if there is an accident, however.
Some car drivers do not understand that large trucks function differently than small cars on the road. They can’t stop as fast as a smaller car. So if a truck gets cut off, for example, and they need to step on the brakes to avoid crashing into something, they literally will not be able to do so because of the massive amount of weight they’re carrying.
You should always leave enough room both behind and in front of you on the road, especially when changing lanes. The space you need to give a small car and the space you need to give a large truck are not the same. Trucks need a lot more space to drive safely. Do not assume that the large space a truck driver is leaving in front of them is an invitation for you to come barreling into their lane.
Blind spots are another thing to be careful of. Blind spots can be nullified by car drivers by simply keeping their mirrors adjusted well and checking over their shoulders. Trucks are much less likely to be able to completely eliminate their blind spots. One of the worst things you can do when driving a small car near a truck is to drive in their blind spot. You should spend as little time as possible next to a truck because the closer you are to it, the less likely the truck driver can see you, which puts you, the truck driver, and other drivers around you at risk.
Impaired Driving
Driving impaired is very unsafe. Whether it is because the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs or tired from a lack of sleep, or even in an extreme emotional state, no driver should ever drive while impaired.
Unfortunately, some drivers will still drive under these conditions. Truck drivers especially can make this very dangerous for themselves and other drivers because it will lower their reaction times and make them more likely to make mistakes on the road, leading to accidents.
If you ever find yourself in this position, just pull over when it is safe to do so and wait until you are able to safely drive again. It is not worth putting your life and the lives of others at risk.
There are many more reasons for truck accidents, but these are good to keep in mind while you are out on the road. Stay alert, pay attention, and drive safely.
