Many of us have probably had a scary experience with 18-wheelers on the highway. In 2012 alone, nearly 300,000 large trucks had accidents, accounting for 104,000 injuries and more than 3,900 deaths. Given their shear size and weight, there’s no disputing that accidents with tractor trailers result in catastrophic and fatal injuries.
Main Causes of Tractor Trailer Accidents
The major issues we face driving side by side with these tractor trailers, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, is driver fatigue, under ride accidents, and mechanical failures because of sloppy maintenance, poor driver training, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and, of course, distracted driving.
Since we unfortunately share the road with impaired 18 wheeler drivers, here are some tips to help you avoid accidents:
1st – Do not ride in a trucker’s blind spot.
2nd – Leave plenty of space between you and a truck.
Finally – Be patient while trucks turn or back-up.
Do your part to stay safe. Driving responsibly, defensively, and sharing the roads can help reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by crashes with large trucks.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving a tractor trailer and would like to learn more about your legal rights, please contact us at (305) 774-0134 for a free initial consultation.