According to the United States Department of Transportation, there are approximately 50,000 tractor trailer accidents each year, which result in almost 5,000 fatalities. The DOT also notes that 98% of these fatalities consists of occupants of passenger vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
While sharing the road with tractor trailers can be dangerous, the trucking lawyers at Pope & Howard, P.C. know that these catastrophic accidents can often be avoided. Below are some safety tips that can help keep you and your family safe on long road trips.
Tractor trailer drivers have especially low visibility behind and beside their vehicles. Although a trained professional driver with proper mirroring should never have a problem seeing another vehicle, sometimes an inattentive driver might miss someone behind and beside their vehicles. Avoid accidents with tractor trailers by following this simple rule: if you cannot see the driver’s mirrors, then you can’t be assured he will see you, either.
Many trailers do not have safety devices to prevent cars from traveling underneath the trailer. Without these safety devices, if you hit a truck from behind at a relatively low speed, you won’t have a minor fender bender like you would with a car. Instead, you could actually end up underneath the trailer with bed of the trailer crushing your windshield and potentially causing a tragic event.
Maintaining at least a four second following distance at all times should give you plenty of time to stop or avoid the tractor-trailer, and it allows the driver plenty of time to slow down to avoid your vehicle.
Inclement weather can make sharing the road with tractor trailers even more dangerous than usual. In rainy or foggy conditions, it is important to slow down and leave extra space between yourself and other vehicles on the highway. Always take weather into account when driving to avoid accidents with tractor trailers.
Tractor trailer drivers tend to follow traffic, and, if inattentive, may run into a vehicle stopped on the shoulder. If you must pull off the road, ensure that you park your vehicle as far away from the highway as possible.
The experienced trial attorneys of Pope & Howard, P.C. possess a comprehensive understanding of Georgia tractor trailer and trucking laws. If you or a loved one has been in a trucking accident, schedule a consultation with an Atlanta truck accident lawyer today by calling (404) 885-9999 or by completing an online contact form.