How Can Commercial Truckers Avoid Collisions? 5 Tips from an Omaha Injury Attorney
Driving a truck may not seem like a difficult job, but a moment’s distraction can lead to a deadly accident. Due to their size and weight, 18-wheelers can cleave a path of destruction, and the occupants of passenger vehicles tend to suffer the worst of the impact. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 68 percent of people who died in truck accidents in 2014 were occupants in passenger vehicles.
If you were injured in a big rig collision, contact Rensch & Rensch Law. A truck accident lawyer in Omaha will assess your case, interview witnesses, gather evidence, and help you fight for the maximum settlement. Our attorneys have more than 45 years of combined legal experience.
Call 1-800-471-4100 to schedule a consultation. You can also learn more about accident lawsuits in Nebraska by visiting the USAttorneys website.
If you are a truck driver, here are five tips to help you avoid collisions:
- Know the Road Conditions
Road conditions should have a direct effect on your driving. Potholes, gravel, and poor weather can all contribute to accidents.
Trucks require longer stopping distances than smaller vehicles. If you do not adjust your speed and following distance based on the road conditions, then your risk of causing a rear-end crash will increase.
- Survey Your Surroundings
Despite backup cameras, specialized mirrors, and crash avoidance systems, a significant number of truck accidents still involve blind spots. Truckers should check their blind spots every 15 seconds so they can predict the actions of surrounding motorists.
- Buckle Up
Despite popular opinion, wearing a seatbelt is not a personal decision. Buckling up puts you in the ideal position to react to unexpected hazards, which reduces your risk of crashing.
Also, a seatbelt can prevent you from being ejected from the vehicle, which can help you maintain control after a collision. This is why commercial truck drivers are required by federal law to wear their seatbelts, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
- Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Because 18-wheelers are heavy and require more time and distance to stop, truckers should keep their eyes roughly 15 seconds down the road when driving on interstates. If you are in the city, look 1.5 blocks ahead. This will help you notice unexpected hazards and react in time to avoid accidents.
- Do Not Speed
Speeding increases the likelihood of crashing in all vehicles. However, travelling at a high velocity is particularly dangerous in a truck because it requires a longer stopping distance.
Also, speeding can contribute to rollover accidents due to trucks’ high centers of gravity. These crashes are common on curves in the road, as well as on- and off-ramps.
If you sustained injuries in a truck wreck that another driver caused, contact Rensch & Rensch Law. An Omaha injury attorney can guide you through the claims process. You may be entitled to compensation for lost income, medical expenses, and other damages.
If we do not win, then you will not pay attorneys’ fees. Call 1-800-471-4100 to schedule a consultation.
