Many motorists are unaware of the dangers that large commercial trucks pose on the roadways. For example, in late December near Kansas City, an 18-wheel tractor-trailer crashed into the rear end of a passenger car that had come to a near stop on the road. According to witness accounts, the truck made no attempt to avoid hitting the car. All five of the vehicle’s occupants perished in the crash, including three children under the age of three.
While some accidents are completely unavoidable, it is important to be aware of the ways you can protect yourself and your passengers while on the road. A driver needs to adopt a different mindset when maneuvering near these large trucks. To help avoid being involved in a tractor-trailer accident, keep in mind the following guidelines:
- If you cannot keep up with traffic, pull completely off of the road. Motorists put themselves in great danger when they drive at a rate much slower than the speed of traffic. This often occurs when a person’s vehicle is malfunctioning. Drivers of large trucks especially may not notice that a car is traveling at a slower speed until it is too late for them to react properly. If you cannot exit the highway, the next best thing is to make sure you are completely on the shoulder with your hazard lights on.
- Allow extra space. Driving next to or behind a tractor-trailer is not the same as driving next to another passenger vehicle. These large trucks are not only big, but they are also extremely heavy. Thus tractor-trailers require a much longer distance to come to a complete stop than a car. This is why tailgating a tractor-trailer is so dangerous. If you have to pass in front of truck make sure you allow plenty of space and do so as quickly as a possible.
- Stay visible. Due to their considerable size, tractor-trailers have large blind spots. Which means that if the driver of a large truck cannot see you, he or she could hit you. Therefore, when driving near a tractor-trailer, make sure you can see the driver’s rearview mirrors or the driver. It is safe to assume that if you cannot see either, then then driver cannot see you. This is why it is best to avoid driving next to a semi-truck for any significant length of time.
Be patient. Highway driving requires a certain level of driver patience. It is easy to become annoyed with a truck driver that may be driving too closely or making what appear to be aggressive maneuvers. In this situation, a driver may be tempted to give the truck driver a “brake check” or engage in another type of retaliatory behavior. Road rage is a dangerous game, especially with a large truck. If the truck driver is not able to stop or brake in time, you could die. Cars and even large SUVs are no match when compared to the size of a tractor-trailer.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries after being involved in a tractor-trailer accident, the experienced Kansas Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help. Our team of skilled Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. The team of Personal Injury Attorneys at the Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless injured victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. To find out how the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can help you, call us today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule an initial consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we will make getting back on your feet easier on you.