You take pride in driving in a safe, defensive manner at all times. While doing so, you realize that others, such as truckers, are not nearly as concerned about doing the right thing.
You have control over the decisions you make as a driver, but can’t do anything to change the behavior of the truckers you’re sharing the road with. They can make a variety of mistakes that cause an accident, including but not limited to:
- Reckless driving: Excessive speeding, running red lights and changing lanes without signaling are all examples of reckless driving. They’re also examples of behavior that greatly increase the risk of an accident.
- Distracted driving: This plagues truckers just as much, if not more, than other drivers. Common distractions include eating, drinking, talking on the phone, reading a map and adjusting vehicle controls.
- Drowsy driving: A known issue among truckers, those who don’t get enough rest on a long trip are more likely to become drowsy when behind the wheel.
- Driving while intoxicated: The consumption of drugs and/or alcohol before driving (or while behind the wheel) impairs a trucker’s ability to make sound, accurate and timely decisions.
- Inadequate training: This places the negligence both on the trucker and their trucking company. Operating a semitruck is much more complex than a passenger vehicle, so truckers require advanced training regarding safety concerns, technique and defensive driving.
If you want to feel better about maintaining your safety, here are some things you can do:
- Don’t drive aggressively around large trucks
- Avoid blind spots, such as the area directly next to or behind a commercial truck
- Maintain a safe following distance
- Create space in the event that a trucker is acting aggressively toward you
Even if safety is your top priority, a trucker could cause an accident that results in serious injury.
This should lead you to receive medical attention, consult with your doctor on a long-term treatment strategy and file a claim with your insurance company.
Even with the many challenges you’re now facing, don’t lose track of your legal rights and the steps you’ll take to obtain compensation from the negligent trucker.