Whether you are driving on Connecticut highways or winding rural roads, big trucks can cause frustration and concern. From unsafe lane changes and high speeds to crossing the double yellow line, tractor-trailer trucks are often viewed as a safety hazard. At Weber, Carrier, Boiczyk & Chace, LLP, we often work with clients injured in truck accidents as a result of negligence.
According to AAA NewsRoom, as many as 63,000 accidents each year can be prevented if trucking companies equip their vehicles with advanced safety technologies. More than half of U.S. adults feel vulnerable when passing big trucks, due to their size, large blind spots and penchant for unexpectedly swerving out of their lane.
In much the same way that safety features make passenger cars and trucks safer, so too does specialized equipment make big rigs safer. Trucking companies may reduce insurance and operating expenses by adding advanced technologies to their fleet. The most positively impactful features include air disc brakes or an automatic braking system, lane departure warnings and onboard video safety monitoring.
There are also techniques drivers of cars, and light trucks can employ that reduce the chance for an accident involving a big truck:
- Leave significant space between you and a big rig when stopping on a hill. Tractor trailers often roll backward.
- Follow at a safe distance. This enables you to stay out of the blind spot. If you cannot see the side view mirror, they cannot see you.
- Slow down when an 18-wheeler passes you and give it plenty of room.
Passenger vehicles and commercial trucks have a shared responsibility to share the road. When trucking companies do not maintain their fleet properly or provide drivers with enough training, they may be liable in the event of an accident. Visit our webpage for more information on this topic.
