Semi-trucks share the roads with other vehicles on a daily basis. Everyone, including drivers and truckers, should be able to operate their vehicles in a safe manner. Unfortunately, crashes between semi-trucks and passenger vehicles happen regularly. The victims of these wrecks can suffer from grave injuries, including some that can be fatal.
While you must drive as safely as you can, you’re also at the mercy of other drivers and truckers to remain safe. When any of them aren’t driving safely, you might be hit by a big rig or another vehicle. Using the following safety tips can help you to remain as safe as possible while you’re on the road with these large and heavy vehicles.
Safety Around Semi-trucks
There are a few things you can do to remain as safe as possible around semi-trucks.
- Stay out of the trucker’s blind spots, which are around the entire truck and trailer including the front and back.
- Always pass on the left side of the truck when possible and pass quickly.
- Never cut off a trucker or stop suddenly in front of them.
- Give them space to turn, especially right turns that might require them to swing left before the turn.
- Remember that semi-trucks need extra space to stop, particularly when it’s raining.
It’s also a good idea to watch what’s going on with semi-trucks. High winds and other factors may lead to the trucker drifting between lanes. Being able to avoid those spaces could keep you safe.
Finding Legal Representation
Anyone who’s injured in a semitruck crash should seek medical care right away. Even if you don’t think that it’s a serious injury, you should still have a medical evaluation just in case anything is amiss that you haven’t noticed. Be sure to follow the medical care instructions you’re given since mitigating damages is often a factor in semitruck crash cases.
If you’re going to seek compensation after a crash with a semitruck, you need to hire a semi truck accident lawyer to help. This professional should understand the specifics that come into the picture in these wrecks. In many cases, Hours of Service regulations or load securement requirements play a role in these cases.
Arizona has a strict time limit for getting these cases filed. It’s imperative that you don’t allow that time limit to expire. Working with someone who’s familiar with these cases enables you to focus on healing from your injuries while they take care of the legal aspects of the matter.
Ultimately, seeking compensation is the only way that you can recover the financial damages related to the crash. This might involve a legal battle that culminates in a trial, but there’s a chance that a settlement may be possible. Talk to your attorney about what might be possible with each option so you can make an informed decision. Think carefully about your needs and how you want to resolve the case so you can move forward in your quest for compensation.