Recently two tractor trailer trucks got into an accident that closed down I-91 for quite some time. While the Connecticut truck accident did not involve any motor vehicles on four wheels and was cleared relatively quickly, it was a good reminder that sharing the road with these giant trucks can be dangerous for anyone on the road with them at the same time.
We have covered many times the ways to keep yourself safe and avoid an accident with one of these big rigs, but what about when the accident has already happened and you are approaching it, then what should you do? The answer to this question could keep you free from injury and even death.
Here are some things you should keep in mind if you are approaching an accident that is involving a tractor trailer truck, but that you were not involved in.
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Approach with caution. Whether you’re two lanes over or even further than that and not coming into contact with the accident at all, taking care to approach the situation which could be volatile could be the difference between passing safely and ending up as a part of the incident.
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If the authorities have not arrived on the scene yet, proceed past the accident, but do not put yourself at risk. If you need to slow down, do so. If you need to change lanes, do so, but do it carefully.
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Once the authorities have arrived and have taken over the scene of the accident you should follow all of the directions they have set in place. If the scene has closed down the road, you will need to stop and stay stationary until it is safe to pass. If the scene has only closed down certain lanes in the road, you should follow instructions on how to merge over and get in the lanes that are deemed the safest by the police on the scene.
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When passing, always stay focused on your lane and the road ahead of you. It can be tempting to look over at the accident to see what has happened, but taking your eye off of the road could lead to you getting involved in the situation and then you would have a much bigger issue on your hands.
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Once you’ve safely passed the accident, make sure you return to your traveling speed slowly to get back to the flow of traffic that was happening before you approached the accident. You should also cautiously change back into the lane that you had previously been driving in.
Our state happens to be a thorough way for many tractor trailers trucks and therefore there is a great risk of encountering a Connecticut truck accident as you drive to and from your destination. If you do happen upon one of these accidents you should follow the steps listed above so you do not get involved in the situation.
Accidents involving trucks can get complicated with the potential for many parties to be involved. If you are ever engaged in such an accident you may need to speak with someone who has experience handling this type of situation. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will learn about your particular situation and work with you on protecting your long-term interests.
