Driving around large commercial vehicles always presents a risk. These trucks can weigh up to 26,000 pounds and can be hard to control. Getting into an accident with one can cause serious damage and severe injuries, especially for smaller automobiles.
Being aware of the common causes of these accidents may help you drive more cautiously around them and avoid a dangerous crash in the future. These are a few common causes of commercial truck accidents.
Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving accounts for a large number of accidents every year. But when truck drivers get distracted these accidents can be much more serious. Drivers of commercials are often under a lot of pressure from their employers to make deadlines which can lead to distractions. Driving while tired, eating while driving and daydreaming are all common causes of distraction that can lead to an accident.
Blind Spots
Large commercial vehicles have especially large blind spots. The blind spots of a truck are approximately 20 feet in front, 30 feet behind and at least one lane on either side, next to the doors and behind. Cars driving in these spots may be at extra risk for an accident if the truck driver cannot see them.
Turns And Stopping
Similarly, commercial trucks have much wider turning radii and stopping distances which can also present a danger to other drivers on the road. Being aware of longer stopping times and wider turns when driving around these vehicles can help you avoid a collision.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration there were approximately 499,000 truck-involved crashes in 2018. Practicing defensive driving and extra caution around these vehicles can help prevent you from joining these statistics.
