When a car collides with a commercial truck, we at once assume the negligence of the truck driver.
But it's not always true.
Sometimes such accidents can be the result of mistakes committed by the car drivers.
Due to the big difference of size and weight between these two vehicles often results in tragic and shattering consequences.
Some of the most common driving errors made by the car drivers that results in devastating accidents are - driving in blind spots, tailgating, driving with one hand on the steering wheel, sudden or improper lane change, inattentive driving in bad weather, and failure to use indicators.
These mistakes are simply avoidable and can stop many accidents from happening.
Tailgating: Tailgating (following a vehicle too closely where sudden stopping of the forefront vehicle can cause a collision) is an activity that the car drivers do unconsciously or deliberately.
Due to their gigantic size and weight, it is impossible for them to stop all of a sudden in case of emergency.
The car, tailgating the truck has a higher risk of involving in a rear-end collision, crushing the windshield that is a few inches away from the driver's face.
Driving in the blind zone: Driving too close to the truck is extremely dangerous.
Being just behind a large commercial truck, truck drivers can't see the other vehicle driving in the truck's blind zone.
Driving in the blind zone of the truck is attributed to more than 33% of fatal accidents.
If you can't see the driver of the truck in his front mirror, you are possibly in the blind zone.
Getting out of that zone as soon as possible is a smart move to avoid any possibility of your front-end collision.
Driving with one hand: Sometime people assume that they are expert drivers and don't hesitate driving with one hand on the steering wheel.
But they forgot that large trucks like Garbage trucks or tractor-trailers generate cross-winds.
A car driver driving with one hand when attempt to pass the big trucks, they may be hit by the gust of the air, making them swerve between two lanes, crashing into other vehicles.
Sudden or improper lane change: Changing lanes without proper indication may cause a side-impact accident or rear-end collision.
Overtaking a big cargo truck requires more time and space than passing other small vehicles.
If the commercial truck is behind you, always use indicators to turn or, change lanes early, as trucks require more efforts and stopping time at a safer distance.
Be calm and patient as sometimes it can be frustrating to wait a long time when the truck has enough space to let you change the lane.
Overtaking: It may take 30 seconds to 30 minutes to overtake a truck while getting the space to change the lane.
If a car driver overtakes a commercial truck without indication, because of sudden braking, the truck may skid.
Such situation can cause of dangerous situation where due to the sudden breaking the attached trailer swing out and come to rest at a 90-degree angle from the truck.
The small vehicle, trying to overtake can stuck between the truck and the trailer.
Inattentive driving in bad weather: Bad weather like heavy downpour, fog, snow and storm reduced the visibility of vehicle drivers, hence reducing the ability to react in an emergency.
Therefore, always keep an eye on the road in bad weather, especially if a large truck is moving behind or in front of your car.
Always maintain a safe distance between you and the truck so that the truck driver has enough time to respond to unexpected issues.
Moreover, driving at a slower speed eliminates the chances of skidding and collision with other vehicles.
Inappropriate or failure to use indicators: Other vehicles on the road cannot know one another intention without the adequate signals.
Sometimes small vehicle drivers give signals so briefly that are hard to notice or don't care about giving any indication that lead to serious accidents.
Sometimes use wrong indicators like left indicator while turning right or leave the indicator on even after the taking the desired move.
That may confuse the other drivers on the road.
A small vehicle driver should signal their intentions early before taking any move, so the truck driver has enough time to slow down or stop their vehicle to prevent an accident.
By now, it is understood that while on the road driving attentively and cautiously can significantly cut down the chances of being injured in a truck accident.
We can only reduce the risk of having an accident, but sometimes despite of following the recommended safety rules, accidents happen.
In such situation, taking help of a truck accident lawyer may help you in recognizing the party at fault and getting the damages.