How Big Rig Accidents can be Prevented

Virtually thousands of big rig trucks ply Georgia’s highways every day. It is no secret that big rig trucks remain responsible for numerous fatal and catastrophic traffic accidents, every year. These trucks pose a major risk to people traveling in cars. To keep away from such accidents, both car and truck drivers ought to understand the differences between the two types of vehicles to reduce the risk of injuries as well as fatalities.

How do big rig accidents occur?

If you go by the word of Athens, Georgia truck accident lawyers there are several major causes of big rig accidents and are usually result in victims claiming compensation from the at-fault party’s insurer. 

These include:

Fatigue and distracted driving

Fatigue can be a major cause for accidents that can prove fatal on any road or highway. Georgia truck accident attorneys who manage accident claims for their plaintiffs who are injured in big rig accidents know that driving for long hours, insufficient sleep, medication, or other factors can result in fatigue. This in turn results in distraction and inevitably poor driver performance.

Road conditions

Big rigs are extremely difficult to control as compared to passenger cars, as these behave rather differently under bad driving conditions. Rain, wind, and slippery roads can produce poor road conditions and affect the handling of large commercial trucks. This is true but they are easy to drive and handle for the driver because they have to be. Once you are certified to drive one, they are not that hard. These massive vehicles are very easy to drive within their lane for instance. The problem is they are hard to stop because of their kinetic energy. And slippery roads only make this worse.

You can see a bunch of kinetic energy in the movie Star Trek Into Darkness. At the end of that movie, Khan flies the USS Vengeance into the edge of downtown San Francisco in an attempt to destroy Star Fleet headquarters. This massive ship, despite plowing into the bay pushed all that water out of the way and crushed several large buildings. It took all this weight and mass to finally slow down this massive object. Now trucks on the road do not have this type of mass but when it is only smaller cars and trucks in the way, they can destroy many of them before it comes to a complete stop and after many people are dead.

Load distribution and truck maintenance

Maintenance-related issues such as brake, tire problems, and rollovers remain the common cause of big rig accidents. If the trucks are not evenly loaded, it can directly affect the driver’s ability to handle the vehicle. 

Traffic conditions

The actions of other drivers on the road may result in accidents even when the truck driver remains alert, in a well-maintained truck. Smaller vehicles that drive through a big rig’s blind spot and cut in suddenly ahead of them or follow them too closely can also cause serious and even fatal accidents.

Preventing big rig accidents

Bad road conditions and heavy traffic affect trucks and cars alike. Drivers of smaller vehicles should drive safely, knowing that it is very hard for big rigs to be kept in control under bad road conditions. They ought to remain alert whenever a big rig is visible in order to react when necessary. 

Keep safe distance

Trucks need a longer distance to accelerate, brake, change lanes, and move up and down inclines. Car drivers should be aware of this, and must leave about 25’ between a truck and their car, in order to avoid making sudden moves.

Outstanding driving skills

Athens, GA truck accident lawyers are aware that practicing fine driving skills are crucial while driving along the highway for big rigs. Complying with the permitted speed limit, employing turn signals, and avoiding road rage are crucial while driving near big rigs. It is also important for drivers to refrain from abrupt lane changes, or other sudden movements, and be aware that trucks can’t react as easily as cars.

Big rigs play a vital role in the country’s economy, as they are engaged in delivering products to people, from coast-to-coast around the clock. Since 18-wheelers are here to stay (they will soon be driving by computers), passenger cars and other vehicles should learn to co-exist safely. Legal experts emphasize that every driver is responsible for driving safely and defensively, which can go a long way in preventing accidents.

If you have been injured in a truck or bus accident and wish to claim compensation, make sure to work with a reliable truck accident lawyer in Georgia. Your legal pro will work towards helping you receive the compensation you deserve. They will file a lawsuit on your behalf to help make you financially whole again. The wreck happened, that cannot change but you can be made financially positive with the help of a lawyer who may have to be willing to get their legal hands dirty.

The fight may not be easy but with an Athens, Georgia truck accident lawyer, you can come out of this on top. If there is permanent damage to your health, your settlement will be in proportion to your pain and suffering.

The USS Vengeance and a commercial truck may have a lot of kinetic energy but so does this website: Truck-Accident.USAttorneys. This website does not come from the future even though it has saved lives so they can live into the future. Click on that website and if you want, you can contact us as well.