How to Reduce the Risks of a Truck Accident When You’re Driving Your Family Car

Driving the family car can be very tough on most days, as highways, intersections, and other issues can cause a lot of problems for even the most experienced drivers. However, whenever you drive the family car around trucks, you are taking a lot more risk into your hands as well. 

Thankfully, just like whenever you drive around other situations to keep yourself safe, you can also do the same around the trucks of the road. You can drive around trucks safely and keep the family car from being totaled, which can be very helpful whenever you are driving on your own. 

Understand the Statistics and Risk Around Truck Accidents 

First, you need to know exactly how likely you are to get into a truck accident. For 2021, 74% of all fatal passenger vehicle cases included a large truck. Tire defects are the most common cause of all truck accidents, and they cause 30% of all trucking accidents. Finally 68% of all truck fatalities are those in the passenger vehicle, and those who are injured will usually seek compensation by hiring accident lawyers like those at Abels & Annes. 

This tells us that driving around trucks is very very dangerous, and whenever crashes or problems do happen, the smaller car is the most vulnerable object in the scenario. Trucks are extremely dangerous and complicated to drive, both for the truck driver as well as the cars that are driving alongside them.   

Here are some of the best ways to reduce the risks of truck accidents and drive alongside larger trucks safely. 

Avoid The Blind Spots And Give Them Space 

Blind spots in cars are where the mirrors do not show anything, and you can’t see cars that are often coming up alongside you. These blind spots often rely on your own vision compensating for what the mirrors can’t, but for as annoying as blind spots can be on a car, they can be very hazardous on a truck. 

Truck blind spots are much bigger, and trucks also have a harder time maneuvering and reacting to potential dangers and obstacles on the road. Be very careful where you are passing the truck and also make sure to see their side mirrors. 

Additionally, give the truck more space than you think it needs. Keep a distance when following a truck, when being followed by a truck, and also when passing the truck. The truck is much harder to stop and doesn’t maneuver as well, so make sure that you have enough space to both move and also to allow the truck to move as well. 

Use Caution And Be Predictable  

If the truck looks like it is moving, or turning, slow down. There is no reason to play ‘chicken’ with a truck or try to cut it off. In all cases the truck is going to have the right of way, so treat it with caution and be patient. Trying to dance around a truck is only going to make you and your family car one of those crash statistics. Should you sustain an injury it’s important to hire a lawyer and know your rights. You can click to read here. 

Finally, be predictable. This isn’t like a car where you can delay your blinker for a few seconds and get away without using all your signals. Instead, communicate all of your intentions clearly and give the truck plenty of space as well. That will be the best way to maneuver around a large truck and reduce the risk of an accident. 

Don’t Be Afraid To Drive Around A Truck 

Large trucks are only getting more common on the road, so don’t be afraid to drive around them or encounter them. Instead, as long as you are cautious, you and the truck driver can get to your destination safely.