Many people think that semi-truck drivers hog the road. They may think that they’re overly aggressive and don’t pay attention to the drivers around them. While this may certainly be true of some truck drivers, the majority of them are not. The issues that lead to drivers thinking these negative thoughts are often the result of the numerous blind spots a semi-truck driver has.
The blind spots are all around the truck – in front, on the left side, on the right side, and behind – and since the drive may not see a vehicle, they may make a move that seems bullying or aggressive when they are just trying to drive. To stay safe on the road while sharing it with semi-trucks, it’s important to understand where these blind spots are. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a truck then we urge you to call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for your free case evaluation.
Knowing where a truck’s blind spots are can dramatically reduce your chances of an accident
There may not be anything you can do to be 100% safe on the road but there are some steps you can take to reduce your chances of an accident with a semi-truck. First of all, you should know where their blind spots are:
- 20 feet in front of the truck
- On both the left and right side
- 30 feet behind the truck
Next, keep in mind that it can take a semi-truck as much as 40% longer to stop compared to a car. This means that if you’re driving in front of a semi and they’re very close to you, then you may want to change lanes to stay out of danger. This is especially true if you need to significantly reduce your speed quickly.
Don’t drive next to a semi-truck
Of course you may need to pass a semi once in a while, but if you drive next to them for an extended period of time then you can be in serious trouble of disappearing in their blind spot. Either speed up to get around them or slow down and get behind them so that you’re not driving in their blind spot for an extended period of time.
Keep in mind as well that the blind spot on a truck’s left side is smaller than the one on the right. That’s why it’s never recommended to pass on the right side of a semi-truck. We also recommend that you never tailgate because if you’re within 30 feet of the back of the truck then they may not know you’re there – not to mention the fact that you increase your chances of a car accident simply because you won’t be able to see other traffic as well.
Contact an attorney right away if you’re involved in a vehicle accident
Whether you’re involved in a semi-truck accident as the driver of the truck or as the driver of another vehicle, it’s essential that you speak to an attorney who’s experienced in semi-truck accidents as soon as possible. Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas can be reached at 909-982-0707 for a free case evaluation.
