The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says drivers of passenger vehicles can do a lot to avoid accidents that involve commercial trucks and buses. The sheer size and weight difference between cars and big rigs is so significant that occupants of cars typically suffer severe or catastrophic injuries — or worse — in truck accidents. Drivers in Long Beach can take several steps to limit the chances of being involved in an accident with a big rig.
The most important tip is to stay out of the “no” zones, meaning the blind spots for truck operators. If the passenger vehicle driver cannot see the truck operator in the truck’s side-view mirror, then the chances are good that the trucker can also not see the driver in the smaller vehicle. Big rigs are much longer than cars and making sure that the clearance is enough to make a safe pass is crucial. Big rigs typically pick up speed when they go down a hill, so it is generally not a good idea to pass them during the descent.
Large trucks need more space to merge into traffic, and also to come to a stop. Cutting in too closely after passing a truck or bus increases the chances of being rear-ended by the larger vehicle. Trucks also need more space to turn, and they often have to use adjacent lanes to maneuver the truck safely in a turn. Along with these tips, patience and consideration can go a long way in avoiding collisions with commercial motor vehicles.
However, this does not mean that passenger car drivers cause all truck accidents. Large truck operators can also be distracted, fatigued or otherwise negligent. When such negligence causes car accidents, injured victims could pursue claims for financial relief. Utilizing the skills of an experienced Long Beach truck accident attorney makes good sense. Along with presenting the claim in court, legal counsel can assist with establishing negligence and identifying which parties to name as defendants, along with the operator of the truck, in pursuit of a monetary judgment for documented financial losses.