No matter how many years of driving history you have, whether it is just a month or it’s 50 years, you want to avoid big rig accidents at all costs. One of the most common times for accidents with these large trucks is during passing. Keep reading to ensure you know how to safely pass and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you have been involved in this or another type of auto accident and require a free legal consultation.
A Note about Big Rig and Accidents
First, it is important to realize just how dangerous big rigs can be. Each year there are more than 250,000 accidents between motor vehicles and big rigs. A large truck can weigh as much as 30 times the weight of a passenger car. Trucks are also much longer, which means that the truck driver has much larger blind spots. Trucks need more time to stop, more room to maneuver, and more room in general. Following these tips can help you avoid a serious accident.
Know That Trucks Cannot See You if You Are too Close to Them
If you are tailgating a truck (i.e. following too closely) then you are likely in their rear blind spot, which means they cannot see you and therefore cannot make adjustments for your presence. If you are too close to them you also can’t properly see in front of you, which makes it harder to pass. Pull back and make sure there is plenty of room between you and the back of the truck before you start passing.
Pass from the Left, Stay at a Consistent Speed, and Do Not Change Lanes Too Quickly
You should always pass trucks on the left because that is where they have the best visibility and are most likely to see you. As you are passing, make sure you stay at a consistent speed. If you pass, get in front of the truck, and then slow down, that truck will not have time to compensate and adjust their speed.
You also do not want to pull back in front of the truck too early. You should be able to see the cab of the truck in your rearview mirror. This indicates that there is enough room between you and the truck for you to safely switch lanes in front of them.
Skip the Three-Lane Pass
If there is a car in the far left lane passing in front of a big rig to get to an exit ramp, they are in a dangerous situation. They do not know what is on the other side of that big rig and are risking a serious accident. If you are ever involved in an accident with a big rig, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 to request a free legal consultation.
