It’s impossible to drive down the highway and not see a commercial truck carrying a load to or from a company. With all of Georgia’s busy highways, it’s likely that you’ll see several throughout a drive. As a driver, it’s important to know exactly how to drive safely near a commercial truck—particularly regarding their blind spots.
TRUCKS ARE MUCH LARGER AND CAN CAUSE MUCH MORE DAMAGE
Commercial trucks in the United States can carry a maximum weight of 80,000 pounds. Although not all trucks carry that much, they all have a lot more weight and force than the average car on the road.
This, unfortunately, means that getting into an accident with a commercial truck can cause much more severe injuries or an increased chance of fatality. Truck drivers are expected to follow certain safety protocols and regulations, but you shouldn’t just assume that a commercial truck driver will be the perfect driver. This is why it’s so important to always pay special attention when you are driving near a truck.
PAY ATTENTION TO A TRUCK’S BLIND SPOTS
Just like cars, commercial trucks have blind spots—but theirs are much larger. The most important thing to remember when you are driving near a large truck is that if you can’t see their mirrors, they cannot see you. Although commercial drivers are held to a higher standard than the average driver, you still can’t completely rely on another driver to keep you safe.
When driving near a truck you never drive in the following areas:
- Directly behind the truck in the truck’s lane
- To the right where you cannot see the truck’s mirror
- To the left where you cannot see the truck’s mirror
- Directly in front of the truck in the truck’s lane
If you need to pass a truck for any reason, always do so with extreme caution. As always, it’s important to pass on the left and don’t just drive alongside the truck in another lane. As long as you do this quickly and efficiently, in most cases, you should be fine.
Additionally, it’s important not to tailgate a truck when driving behind them. You should try to keep at least 20-25 car lengths of distance between you and the truck just to be safe. It’s also good to be patient when trucks are turning as it can take some additional time due to the truck’s wide berth.
Have you been involved in an accident with a commercial truck that has left you with severe injuries in Georgia? It’s possible that the driver wasn’t following safety protocol or that the truck wasn’t up to proper safety standards. You are going to need the services of a law team who understands your rights and knows how to pursue the compensation that’s rightfully yours. Give the Fry Law team a call at (404) 948-3571 today to get more information about your rights.
