Sharing the road with a tractor-trailer is a nerve-wracking experience for many drivers — and for good reason. A tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, at least 30 times more than the average car. When crashes happen, the outlook for motorists in the smaller car is bleak. In fact, the vast majority of those injured and killed in U.S. truck accidents are the occupants of the other vehicle, not the tractor-trailer drivers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,472 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks in the United States in 2023, an 8% decrease from 2022, though fatal truck crashes remain significantly higher than a decade ago.
For that reason, it’s never been more important to learn how to avoid tractor-trailer wrecks.
Tips for Avoiding Truck Accidents
Here’s what you need to know:
Stay out of the “No Zone”
There are several areas the drivers need to avoid when traveling alongside a commercial truck. These spots are called the “No Zone” and include:
- Its blind spots: Two of the blind spots are on the side of the truck, just like a regular driver’s. The difference is that the truck’s blind spots are bigger, especially on the right side. According to FMCSA data, the blind spots extend:
- 20 feet in front of the truck
- 30 feet behind the truck
- Two lanes are wide on the right side
- One lane wide on the left side
- Directly behind the truck: Tractor-trailers have no rearview mirrors. That means that operators have no way of spotting motorists who are driving directly behind them, especially if they are following too closely. This increases the chances of deadly underride accidents if the truck has to brake suddenly.
- Straight in front of the tractor-trailer: According to FMCSA, the operator of a fully-loaded truck driving in good conditions will need a distance the length of two football fields to stop. Fully loaded tractor-trailers require 20-40% more distance to stop than passenger vehicles due to the extra work the brakes must do to pull these extremely heavy vehicles to a safe stop. Driving directly in front of the truck puts motorists at risk of serious override accidents if they need to hit the brakes in an emergency.
Don’t Make Sudden Lane Changes
Due to a tractor-trailer’s sizeable blind spots, you need to drive predictably. Don’t weave in and out of traffic. When making lane changes, be sure to use your turn signal and wait a few seconds to give the trucker enough time to see you.
In addition, you should allow extra space between your car and the tractor-trailer. Where the two-second rule might be enough time to respond to an unexpected circumstance involving another car, it’s a good idea to allow five to eight seconds between your vehicle and a tractor-trailer in ideal conditions, and even more in adverse weather.
Remember That Trucks Have a Wider Turning Radius
It’s not easy for trucks to make tight turns, especially on city streets. In some cases, the trucker may need to swing out wide in order to make the turn without striking another vehicle or riding on the sidewalk, putting both drivers and pedestrians at risk. Do your part to avoid a crash by not trying to zoom past a turning truck. Give the driver time to negotiate the turn carefully to keep everyone safe.
A large truck making a right turn may swing left first to avoid hitting the curb or objects with its trailer. Never attempt to pass a truck on the right when it’s turning right, as this is one of the most dangerous maneuvers a driver can make near a commercial vehicle.
Be Patient with Truck Acceleration and Merging
Tractor-trailers are heavy and slow, which means they need significantly more room to get up to speed when merging onto highways. Not all merge lanes are built long enough to give truckers adequate space to reach the speed of traffic. If you are approaching a merging truck, make sure to give them plenty of room because you may be in their blind spot and they might not see you.
Similarly, trucks lose momentum when traveling uphill and need time to regain speed. Allow extra time when waiting for trucks to accelerate from stops or when they’re climbing hills.
Avoid Driving Alongside Trucks
Don’t drive next to a truck for extended periods. If you must pass a truck, do it quickly and decisively, with your full attention on the road. Complete your pass and move ahead, ensuring adequate distance before merging back into the truck’s lane.
Exercise Extreme Caution During Inclement Weather
Adverse weather conditions, including rain, snow, fog, or ice, reduce visibility and road traction, significantly increasing the likelihood of truck accidents such as skidding or jackknifing. Wet or icy roads make it even more difficult for trucks to stop safely. Always increase your following distance and reduce your speed in bad weather.
Injured in a Tractor-Trailer Accident?
Most truck drivers are responsible and do their best to avoid crashes. But sometimes, carelessness — either on the part of the trucker, truck driver, cargo loader, or another party — can lead to tractor-trailer accidents in South Carolina and North Carolina. If you were injured in a truck accident, it’s important to get advice from a skilled truck accident attorney.
Talk to Stewart Law Offices today. Our hardworking Columbia truck accident lawyers have years of experience representing people who have been harmed or lost a family member in truck accidents in the Carolinas. If you’ve been hurt, you can count on our law firm to push for full and fair compensation for your losses.
Call or contact us today for a free consultation.