Memphis 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney
Eighteen (18) wheelers transport many of the goods and products that we use in our daily lives, we share our roads and highways with these trucks everyday. Eighteen (18) wheelers can be dangerous pieces of equipment when improperly operated. As long as there are 18 wheelers on the road it is important that you, as a driver, take the proper precautions to ensure that you are making the roads safer for you, your passengers and your fellow drivers.
The Berkley Law Firm represents victims of 18 wheeler, personal injury and wrongful death accidents. Mr. Berkley and his staff of experienced legal professionals passionately and aggressively represent their clients ensuring that they uncover the compensation to which they are entitled. Having worked with a multitude of truck accident victims Mr. Berkley is well versed in the safety precautions that we should all follow to reduce the occurrence of these life altering, and sometimes fatal, accidents.
18 Wheeler Precautions
Maintain a safe distance between you and the truck.
Keep a distance of roughly 20 to 25 car lengths between the front of your vehicle and the back of an 18 wheeler or a bus. This distance will allow you to see in front of the truck in the case that there is traffic congestion or an accident ahead, you will be able to see it with plenty of time to stop.
Never cut in front of an 18 wheeler or a large truck.
Large trucks require a much greater distance to stop. Forcing an 18-wheeler to stop suddenly can result in a serious accident. When passing a truck, make sure you can see the front of the semi in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front.
Do not get between an 18 wheeler and curb.
In order to make a right turn, semi truck drivers need to swing wide to the left. When making a wide right turn, a truck driver cannot see smaller vehicles behind or beside them. Never navigate between a truck and a curb or you may risk being seriously injured.
Avoid a truck’s blind spots.
Tractor trailer bus drivers have large blind spots on both sides of their vehicles. It is safe to assume that if you cannot see the driver’s face in his or her side-view mirror, the driver cannot see you. Try to avoid driving next to an 18 wheeler or bus, do your best to drive past it or maintain a safe distanced behind it. It is always wise to pass on the left side of a large vehicle as the blind spot is smaller on that side.
Watch for an 18 wheeler’s brake lights.
When driving close to an 18 wheeler or a large or tractor trailer, pay close attention to its brake lights and signals. A cautious truck driver will let you know before he or she makes any sudden movements. Watching for such signals can help you avoid an accident.
Obey all traffic laws.
As a licensed driver you are expected to follow certain traffic laws. Whether you are driving close to a large truck or 18 wheeler or you are alone on the road, being a law abiding driver will decrease your chances of suffering injury due to an accident.
