Tractor trailers are some of the biggest vehicles on the road, which means that accidents they are involved in can create dire circumstances for their occupants, passenger vehicles, pedestrians, etc. While a truck driver is expected to maintain a sense of responsibility on the road, this is often not the case, which unfortunately means that a DUI accident is not impossible.
Therefore, there is the question of what can be done to help prevent being on the other end of such an accident. Bear in mind that accidents are not necessarily something that can be prepared for. However, there are courses of action that those in Indiana can take to avoid these kinds of accidents with large commercial trucks. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can provide insight on the average semi truck accident settlement in Indiana.
Maintain Your Distance from Commercial Trucks
This is probably the most important tip and it will play a big part in avoiding many of the accidents that are possible when semi trucks are in the mix. It's essential to have adequate space between a passenger vehicle and large trucks. Instead of thinking of it in a distance context, think of it as leaving about four seconds between the truck and the passenger vehicle.
Being too close means that there will not be enough time to react to a sudden stop or if being under the influence causes the truck driver to do something ill-advised and unexpected. Of course, this is also a good way to avoid accidents that may be caused by a tire blowout or debris coming from the truck or if it simply were to roll over.
Remember That Truck Drivers Have Significant Blind Spots
Cars, SUVs, and other vehicles all have blind spots, which means that drivers need to be extremely careful in those areas. However, truck blind spots are much more significant. The passenger side of the truck in particular has a huge blind spot.
It's always a good idea for most passenger vehicles to stay out of these blind areas. A good idea is to try to look at the side mirrors on the truck. If you are unable to see the driver's face, the driver likely cannot see you, which means you are in a blind spot.
Minimize the Distractions You're Dealing with
Most accidents on American roads are the result of distracted driving. Some of the typical distractions are eating, drinking, conversing with passengers, gazing at something, or looking at a phone. Even if there is no truck in the vicinity, it can't be said enough that focusing on the road properly is non-negotiable.
Pass with Caution
Sometimes, a truck may be going too slowly, which makes passing it desirable. While there's nothing wrong with this, how it's done can make a huge difference. There's no such thing as too much caution whenever there is a truck involved.
First, enough acceleration will be needed to get past the truck and back into the required lane. When possible, try to pass on the driver's side as the blind spot is smaller there. Finally, don't attempt to pass the trick going either up or downhill considering the road ahead may not be visible.
Do Not Cut in Front of Commercial Truck Drivers
Even when there's no DUI to speak of, some truck accidents happen because people choose to cut in front of truck drivers narrowly, as they would other drivers. While this is not a practice that should be employed overall, it's especially dangerous with trucks.
That's because they cannot stop as easily as standard vehicles do. On average, a truck will take 40% longer to stop than a standard vehicle. Therefore, cutting in can be a problem since the driver cannot prevent a collision if you are too close.
The Human Error Element
The human error side of things also needs to be thought of. In an ideal world, everyone would respect the rules of the road, which means the likelihood of accidents caused by bad decisions would be non-existent. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys can answer questions such as What can you do to avoid Spilled Cargo Accidents in Indiana?
However, that's not the case in reality, and this means that considerations will need to be made for the fact that people, including many truck drivers, don't always make the best decisions. They may drink, they may speed, and they may do other things that make the road unsafe.
Be that as it may, each driver needs to maintain acute awareness of their surroundings so they can react quickly when necessary.
What to Do if You're Involved in an Indiana Truck Accident
Whether it's a violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations or drunk driving, sometimes it's not possible to avoid being in one of the vehicles involved in a truck accident. When that happens, what should be the next steps?
If possible, seek medical attention immediately. This is to take care of any injuries and also to have documented evidence of the treatment and the associated cost, which will be useful in any insurance claim that may be filed.
Call experienced Indiana semi truck accident lawyers in Indianapolis. There are little things such as indicating you're not too hurt on social media that could make being compensated by trucking companies difficult. Your attorney will help you collect the relevant details and advise you on what actions to take to avoid jeopardizing the possibility of compensation.
Collect whatever evidence is possible from the scene including pictures, video evidence, contacts of witnesses, and more.
Provide a statement to the police officer on the scene or head to the relevant police station if there is none.
Liability Considerations
Claims involving these kinds of commercial vehicles can get tricky, as the responsible part could be the trucking company, a loading contractor, the truck driver, or even a component manufacturer.
Even when there is a DUI at play, the truck driver may not be the only defendant if there are implications for other parties.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today with an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in Indiana!
The tips above will help to reduce the likelihood of a truck accident. However, sometimes a driver is under the influence and all the care in the world doesn't help.
Were you involved in a DUI truck accident? Schedule a free consultation today with an expert Indiana truck accident attorney! Call Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys!