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4 Ways Car Drivers Contribute to Truck Accidents

Posted on : July 23, 2021
Truck Accident

Devastating Georgia Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are among the most devastating types of accidents that can occur on Georgia’s roadways. While truck driver fatigue and failure to obey traffic and truck industry laws can cause an accident, car drivers can also contribute to truck accidents with certain driving behaviors. Here’s what not to do when you are sharing the roadway with a large truck.

1. Failure to Accelerate After Pulling Out In Front of a Truck

If you pull out in front of a large truck on a highway or another road, it’s important that you accelerate quickly in order to match or exceed the speed of the truck. If not, you may get rear-ended by a truck, which is unable to slow down or stop quickly enough to avoid hitting you. If you don’t think you can accelerate properly, just wait until the truck passes to pull out onto the road.

2. Getting Into the Right Lane as a Truck Is Turning

Big trucks make wide turns, and it may look like they are going into the left-hand lane of the road they’re turning on, but they won’t stay there long. They’ll go quickly back to the right lane, and if you’re in the right lane, your car will most likely be hit by the truck. If you see a truck making a right-hand turn, stay behind them until they’ve completed the turn and are back in the right-hand lane.

3. Changing Lanes Suddenly In Front of a Truck

If a truck is driving behind you and you change lanes suddenly or without much warning, you may be rear-ended by the truck. Trucks take longer to slow down than cars. Even when using their emergency brake, they may not be able to avoid hitting you if you’ve cut them off unexpectedly.

4. Driving Where the Truck Driver Can’t See You

There’s an old rule that says if you can’t see the truck’s side mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you. When sharing the roadway with a truck, make sure you can always see the side mirrors when you’re behind the truck or traveling on either side of it. This way, you can be certain that the truck driver is aware of your presence.

Car Drivers Contribute to Truck Accidents

  • Distracted Driving: One of the most common causes of car accidents, distracted driving is also a major contributor to truck accidents. When car drivers are distracted by their phones, passengers, or other activities, they may not be paying attention to the road or to the trucks around them. This can lead to accidents when drivers fail to see a truck changing lanes or turning, or when they cut off a truck in traffic.
  • Speeding: Speeding is another common cause of car accidents, and it can also contribute to truck accidents. When car drivers speed, they may be unable to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision with a truck. Additionally, high speeds can make it more difficult to control a car, which can lead to loss of control or other accidents.
  • Tailgating: Following a truck too closely, or tailgating, can be dangerous for car drivers and truck drivers alike. When car drivers tailgate a truck, they may not be able to see hazards in the road ahead, such as debris or animals. Additionally, if the truck driver has to brake suddenly, the car driver may not have enough time to react, which can lead to a collision.
  • Failure to Yield: Finally, car drivers who fail to yield the right of way can cause truck accidents. When a car driver fails to yield to a truck that has the right of way, such as when merging onto a highway or making a left turn, it can lead to a collision. Trucks are much larger and heavier than cars, which means that a collision between the two can be catastrophic.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Call a Lawyer Today

If you were in a truck accident, whether you believe your driving behavior contributed to the accident or not, it’s important that you secure adequate legal representation as soon as possible. When you work with Chalker Injury Law, you can trust that your case is in capable hands. Call today for a consultation at (678) 319-9991.

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