In Georgia, sharing the road with trucks can be dangerous for many reasons. They are large, heavy and have many blind spots, making them unwieldy and difficult to control. Even if you drive perfectly and follow the rules of the road, you may get into an accident if you treat a truck the same way you would any other vehicle.
What can you do to drive safely around trucks?
Anyone can get in a trucking accident, and the consequences of a collision are typically severe. Some find themselves in the hospital after treating trucks like large cars and overtaking them or expecting them to adapt for their sake. With this in mind, it is important to consider what makes trucks so different, as well as what steps you can take to make the road safer for you and for truck drivers:
- Do not linger in blind spots: Trucks have multiple blind spots due to their size, which means steering clear of their fronts, backs and sides reduces the risk of getting in an accident.
- Avoid cutting them off: Trucks are heavy, which means they do not slow down as quickly when their drivers hit the brakes. Cutting a truck off can lead to a fatal rear-end collision.
- Drive defensively: When you share the road with trucks, it is important to be patient and alert. Drive predictably and be considerate of them to prevent avoidable accidents.
- Consider the weather: Rain is quite common in Georgia, and it can happen all year round. Watching weather reports and anticipating rain helps you stay safe because wet roads give vehicles less traction, making it more likely for drivers to lose control.
It is also strongly recommended to keep a distance when driving behind trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommends a four-second following distance to account for their longer braking times.
What should you do if you get in a trucking accident?
After getting in a trucking accident, it is important to prioritize your safety before calling 911. Even if your injuries are minor, you can seek medical attention to obtain health documents. If you require financial compensation, you will need to gather evidence.
This typically includes photographs of the incident and its aftermath, eyewitness reports and hospital records. It is also essential to take note of the location and date of the accident, as well as the name of the truck driver, the vehicle they drove and the company they work for.
Receiving financial compensation for trucking accidents can help you make up for medical bills, repair costs and lost wages. This can help you recover from your injuries with peace of mind.