Connecticut’s roads are very busy with trucks that are large and take up a lot of space. These trucks are on our roads at all hours of the day transporting goods throughout the U.S., often starting out their trek in Connecticut. As a driver of a smaller vehicle (even if you are driving an SUV) you may be put in a situation where a Connecticut truck accident happens to you. These accidents can be severe and at times deadly.
The bad news is, we can’t ban these trucks from our roads, they provide a needed service for us and people across the country. The good news is, there are some things you can do to help protect yourself against the potentially disastrous interaction you have with a truck when it is driving down the road. If you follow some simple steps you will keep yourself and your passengers safe while also being a good neighbor who shares the road well.
Step #1: Always pass on the left. Truck drivers are trained to pass on the left and are not expecting vehicles to pass them on the right. If you give a truck driver what she/he is expecting you will be much less likely to get into an accident.
Step #2: Avoid the truck’s blind spot. You’ve probably experienced a blind spot in your own vehicle which can make it very difficult to make good decisions about where and when to go with your vehicle. Now magnify those blind spots by a thousand and you can imagine a truck driver having difficulty maneuvering while other vehicles are passing by. Of course you can’t always avoid a blind spot, but if you must be in it, you should do so quickly.
Step #3: Merge back into traffic safely. After you have passed a truck you may want to get back over into the lane that the truck is in. You can do this, but it must be done safely. If you pass in front of a truck too closely the driver will not be able to see you which will put you in danger of being hit. Make sure you are leaving plenty of room between you and the front end of a truck before merging back into the lane that the truck is occupying.
Connecticut truck accidents are often more serious and at times more deadly than those involving two passenger vehicles. This is mainly because of the weight of the truck and the speed at which these trucks are traveling. If you follow some simple steps you can help keep yourself safe and avoid being involved in an accident like this all together.
Whether you travel on a road with a lot of trucks or not, you will eventually find yourself on the road with these giant vehicles and if that results in an accident and an injury you may need to speak with an attorney. Contact our office if you have experienced an injury and one of our attorneys may be able to help.
