5 Tips to Help You Avoid a Truck Accident

Today's article is a guest post by The Dolan Law Offices.

Truck accidents often result in serious physical injuries or fatalities. The sheer force of a truck against a car, motorcycle, pedestrian or bicyclist is enough to make truck collisions among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents.

The best way to protect yourself from the potentially serious consequences of a truck accident is to prevent the accident from occurring in the first place. Specifically, you should:

1. Keep a Safe Traveling Distance When Driving Behind a Truck: most likely, you can’t see what is in front of a truck the same way that you can see what is in front of a car driving in front of you. Therefore, it is important to keep a safe traveling distance in case the truck needs to stop abruptly.

2. Remember Trucks Have Large Blind Spots: do not pass a truck unless you have enough room to do so safely. It is important to make sure that you can clearly see the truck’s side view mirrors because if you can’t see them, then most likely the truck driver can’t see you either.

3. Remember Trucks Take Longer to Stop: trucks can create a lot of damage if they crash into your vehicle. If you have a truck behind you, then it is important not to stop abruptly. Also, it is important not to cut off a truck in traffic for the same reason.

4. Be Careful Near Trucks that are Turning: trucks make wide turns. Never attempt to pass a truck that has its “turn signal” on because the truck is unlikely to see you and is likely to make wider turns than you expect.

5. Be Careful on Inclines: especially if a truck is stopped. Trucks tend to roll backward before moving forward and if you are too close to the truck in front of you then it may roll back and hit your car.

Following these tips may prevent many, but not all, truck accidents.

Dolan Law Offices is a Chicago, IL law firm. We represent victims who suffer serious injuries in Illinois truck accidents. We are committed to helping each of our clients recover full and fair compensation for their injuries.