- September 5, 2020
Accidents involving cars and tractor-trailers can have devastating consequences. Given the size and weight of trucks, cars almost always receive the most damage and their occupants suffer the most serious injuries. Sometimes, these accidents are fatal. If you drive a small car, it’s easy to feel like you’re at the mercy of larger vehicles. However, there are things you can do to avoid collisions with tractor-trailers. Our Greenville car accident attorneys will go over those here.
Sharing the Road with Tractor-Trailers
As much as you would prefer to avoid large commercial vehicles, you’ll have to deal with them as you drive around Greenville. Here’s how you can stay safe as you do so.
Give Trucks Lots of Space
Tailgating is never a good idea but it can be disastrous if it involves tractor-trailer. Trucks take longer to stop than small smaller vehicles. Therefore, if the driver in front of you stops suddenly, you’re more likely the rear-end the vehicle.
As far as possible, you should also try not to drive near a truck for a long period. Most truck drivers are responsible, careful drivers. However, if anything goes wrong, you’re likely to be in more danger than if you were driving close to a passenger car.
Avoid the Driver’s Blind Spots
Tractor-trailers have more blind spots than other vehicles. You may be wondering how you’ll know if a truck driver can see you or not. Typically, if you can’t see the trucker in the truck’s side mirrors, the individual can’t see you. The blind spots are usually located directly in front and behind the vehicle and along each side. If you end up in a blind spot and you become involved in a crash, you will need to hire a South Carolina auto accident attorney to represent you.
Be Careful When Passing A Truck
If you must pass a truck, you need to remember that it’s not as easy to maneuver as a passenger vehicle. The driver will need a longer time to react and change speed. Therefore, you must be cautious. If possible, avoid passing a tractor-trailer while on a hill since the truck may naturally speed up or slow down because of the incline.
You should also avoid trucks that are turning since the driver may need to maneuver into their adjacent lane to make a wide turn. On those occasions when you can’t avoid passing a tractor-trailer, be sure not to change lanes and get in front of the truck until you have a clear view of the driver in your rearview mirror.
Dim Your Headlights
Bright headlights can annoy any driver but they’re especially likely to bounce off a truck’s side mirrors and blind the driver. Whenever you’re near a larger vehicle, you should dim your high beams if you want to avoid an accident.
Damages You Can Recover Following a Truck Accident
Despite your best efforts, you may still get involved in a collision. You may do everything right but that doesn’t mean other road users will. Each case is different, but you should be able to recover certain categories of damages from the truck driver, their employer or another entity. These include:
- Property damage. Your vehicle is likely to suffer serious damage and it may even be totaled.
- Past, current, and future medical costs. These include expenses associated with hospitalization, doctor’s visits, surgery, and physical therapy.
- Loss of income and loss of earning capacity. You are entitled to compensation if you can’t work or you have to accept a job that pays less because of your injuries.
- Pain and suffering. Serious injuries are likely to result in physical pain and mental distress and you should also be compensated for these even though they aren’t tangible.
To claim damages, you will need to present strong evidence of all your losses. No insurance company or court will award you a sum of money of you can’t prove that you’re entitled to it.
Contact a South Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer at Hernandez & Cabra
Truck accidents can present several challenges. Not only do they result in significant property damage and serious injuries, but they can be complicated. Commercial vehicles are governed by several rules and regulations and several parties other than the driver could be responsible for the crash. If you want to get compensation for your injuries and related losses, you need to hire experienced auto accident lawyers in South Carolina.
We will investigate your case, gather the facts, and do everything possible to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and get expert legal advice. You’ll never have to pay until we recover compensation on your behalf.
