How to avoid a truck accident

Everyday on your commute in or home from work, you probably share the road with large semi trucks. However, accident rates for larger trucks has been on the rise. In fact, deaths from large truck crashes reached the highest level in 29 years in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrative data.

With the average big rig weighing between 12,000 and 18,000 pounds, car drivers can face serious injuries and death in any accident with a large truck. 

Here are a few ways you can avoid getting in a truck accident:

1. Leave enough distance around trucks. Pay attention and make sure you aren’t following a semi too closely or you leave enough room when merging ahead of them in traffic.
2. Don’t assume a truck driver can see you. No matter where your car is in relation to a big rig, you should drive as if the truck driver can’t see you. Sometimes, a large truck’s blind spot is bigger than the vehicle you are driving.
3. Don’t park directly behind a truck. If a truck needs to pull out and you leave it with little space to do that, most likely your car will be damaged as the truck driver tries to maneuver out of the spot.
4. Let trucks in on entrance ramps. Trying to speed up to avoid a merging truck is dangerous. It’s often easiest to just let a big rig into the flow of traffic.

Navigating the roads with large trucks is never 100% safe. However, with these tips you are more likely to avoid an accident.