Any accident on the roads or highways in Louisiana can cause serious damage and life-changing injuries. However, being involved in an accident with a large truck puts passenger vehicle drivers at a higher risk of devastating injuries.
While this is true, you can protect yourself by learning how to drive safely around large trucks. Part of this involves learning what mistakes you should avoid, which can be found here.
Mistake: Being distracted
Distracted driving is a top cause of car accidents. They can also lead to truck accidents. If you are looking at your phone, radio, talking to passengers or doing anything else that takes your eyes or mind off the road, it increases the likelihood of a serious accident. If you are driving near large trucks, this is even more of a risk due to the severe injuries you may experience.
Mistake: Not giving large trucks enough space
Large trucks take up more room on the road and when they turn. Because of this, you need to make sure you leave them plenty of room to operate. Never ride too closely to a truck and if they are turning, remember they need a wide berth. If you see a truck that is about to turn, it’s best if you wait and stay back.
Mistake: Driving in blind spots
Large trucks have a lot of blind spots. If you are riding around a large truck, it’s best to avoid these if you can. After all, if a truck driver can’t see you, the potential of an accident increases.
Big trucks are everywhere. This is a fact of life. While they have a responsibility to drive safely, other drivers must also take precautions. Avoiding the mistakes above can help reduce the potential of a truck accident. If you are in a wreck with a big rig, make sure that you learn more about your legal options.