Truck crashes are extremely dangerous for occupants of passenger vehicles. There is a huge risk of suffering severe or life-ending injuries, no matter what type of truck accident you are involved in.

While there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of a crash, there are a variety of things you can do to reduce your risk of a dangerous collision.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact our Silver Spring truck accident lawyers today for a free, no obligation consultation. We may be able to purse fair compensation for the damages you have suffered.

Lowering Your Accident Risk

  • Follow the rules of the road – Following road rules can help reduce the risk of being in a dangerous situation. Doing things like passing on the left and obeying the speed limit can dramatically reduce your risk of a crash and give you more time and space to take action to avoid a potential crash.
  • Watch for blind spots – Commercial trucks have large blind spots, so drivers have a lot of trouble seeing smaller passenger vehicles in these areas. Know where these blind spots are and avoid them – a truck’s blind spots are typically at the rear, sides and where the trailer connects to the truck. If you cannot see the truck driver in the truck’s side mirrors, the driver cannot see your vehicle. Move out of blind spots as soon as possible.
  • Travel at a safe distance – Whenever traveling near trucks, keep a safe distance to allow space in case of an emergency or sudden hazard. Leave a following distance of four to five seconds between your vehicle and the truck in front of you. If you follow too closely, you will not have enough time to stop or maneuver to avoid crashing into the truck if the driver suddenly hits the brakes.
  • Make safe lane changes – Whenever passing a truck, always use your turn signals to alert the truck driver of your intentions. Avoid making abrupt lane changes which could cause the truck driver to respond in an unpredictable manner.
  • Pass carefully – A truck may blink its lights at you, indicating the driver wants you to pass. You should return the blink and proceed to pass with care. Before you re-enter the truck’s lane ahead of it, make sure you can see the headlights in your mirrors. This shows that you have given the truck enough space. Never pass a truck that is turning.
  • Drive at a safe speed – Always follow the speed limit and avoid speeding. When it is raining or there are other dangerous weather conditions like fog or snow, reduce your speed so you have more space between your vehicle and the truck in front of you. While many truck accidents are caused by truck drivers tailgating smaller vehicles, accidents are also caused by cars tailgating trucks.
  • Allow more space when going uphill – When traveling up an incline, trucks need to shift gears, which can cause them to drift backward. This is why you should allow more distance between your vehicle and a truck if it is in front of you going up a hill.
  • Take care at intersections – Trucks often make wide turns that can put you in their blind spots. If you are next to a truck while it is turning, you should back off and give it a lot of room. This could reduce your risk of getting sideswiped.
  • Do not react to road rage – If a truck driver is driving aggressively, do not react with road rage. Keep your cool and put more space between you and the truck.
  • Pull off the road in emergencies – If your vehicle breaks down or there is another emergency that requires you to pull over, be sure to move your vehicle entirely off the road. Use your hazard lights and flares at the ends of your vehicle to alert trucks and other passing vehicles of your presence.

Contact Our Attorneys for Help

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our Silver Spring truck accident attorneys work to hold at-fault parties responsible and recover the compensation you deserve.

Request a free, no obligation consultation today and learn what legal options may be available in your case. We charge no upfront fees and are only paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.