Every year, thousands of people die as a result of truck-related accidents. In 2019, 4,102 people died in such accidents. About 68% of them were occupants in other cars, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The risk for injury and death are high for any driver
who enters the road with trucks on it.
While those risks cannot be prevented entirely, there are steps you can take to stay safe. Consider the following.
Insure Your Car
You should have auto insurance on your vehicle to protect you from losses if you are on the road with trucks. For example, you may be in an accident that you cause due to not seeing a truck in your side mirrors. Having enough collision insurance for this instance is important. Additionally, all drivers should have ample liability car insurance. It helps protect you if you cause any damage to another party’s vehicle.
Consider Truck-Specific Road Risks
Most truck drivers do an excellent job of monitoring vehicles and avoiding accidents. Yet, as a driver, it is important for you to recognize the risks present with every car or truck no matter what they are doing. Here are some tips to help you.
- Assume trucks are going to go faster than you and stop slower than you. When merging with a truck in the other lane, compensate for the rate of speed they have.
- Remember it takes longer for a truck to stop. Do not try to dart in and out of lanes with trucks. The truck driver needs more space to stop the truck safely to avoid you.
- When on freeways, monitor these trucks for movement of the back that may not be in line or straight. In some cases, the back of the truck can seem to sway, especially if it is empty.
- Don’t be a distracted driver. One of the more common types of injuries involving cars comes from rear endings. If you fail to stop behind a truck, your car can smash through the back of their vehicle, causing serious damage.
- Do your best to pay attention. You do not know how long truckers have been on the road for. They could suffer from exhaustion. Your goal should be to pay closer attention to trucks than you do other vehicles.
Your car insurance policy and the truck driver’s insurance policy can help with financial loss in the event of a wreck. Yet, it’s best to avoid accidents in the first place.