When a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle collide, the truck always wins. Because of the serious damage a large tractor-trailer can impart on smaller cars, it is vital that drivers know how to avoid Virginia truck accidents and prevent truck accident injuries.
Perhaps the most important way that you can lower your chances of a big rig crash is by understanding where a truck’s blind spots are located and staying out of a truck’s three “no zones.” A truck becomes significantly more dangerous when the trucker cannot see your vehicle – or when your vehicle is so close to a truck that sudden braking could result in a collision. It is common sense: the further away from a tractor-trailer you are, the less likely you are to become involved in a tractor-trailer crash. Always be sure to stay a safe distance from big rigs and to pass them cautiously. Also, always be sure that the truck’s driver can see you and your car at all times.
Where are a tractor-trailer’s three no-zones located?
- Directly behind a truck. A trucker cannot see you if you are tailgating. If the truck was to stop suddenly, you might not be able to avoid a collision.
- Directly in front of a truck. Because truckers ride so high up in their cabs, they can’t see pedestrians, bikers, or even small vehicles that are directly in front of them. Also, if you stop suddenly, a trucker is not likely to be able to stop his large, heavy truck in time.
- Diagonally behind either the right or left rear of the truck. These two blind spots are especially dangerous if a truck decides to make a turn or change lanes.
Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do to prevent Virginia truck accidents. Even if you do avoid a big rig’s no-zones, there is a chance that you could be seriously injured in a truck accident. If that is the case, it is very important that you understand the cause of the crash and seek compensation from the negligent party. To speak with a Hampton truck accident attorney today, call the experienced, professional lawyers at Shapiro & Appleton.
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