10 Tips to Prevent Truck Accidents: The Complete Guide for Truck Drivers

Published on: 16 March 2022 Last Updated on: 05 November 2024

We all know that truck accident can cause severe injuries and even death. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 4,000 people killed in truck accidents each year.

The good news is that most of these accidents are preventable. This blog post will discuss some tips that truck drivers can use to prevent accidents from happening.

Can Truck Accidents Be Prevented?

Regardless of how technology has advanced, there are still many dangers associated with driving a truck. Truck accidents can be caused by several factors, including driver error, mechanical problems, and poor weather conditions.

Although accidents cannot always be prevented, there are specific steps that truck drivers can take to minimize the risk of being involved in an accident. Below are some tips on how to avoid truck accidents:

Always obey the speed limit and other traffic laws.
Be aware of your surroundings, and pay attention to other drivers.
Ensure that your truck is maintained correctly and that all mechanical problems are fixed before you hit the road.
Avoid driving in poor weather conditions whenever possible. If you must drive in bad weather, use caution and drive slowly.
If you are tired, take a break. Driving when you are tired can be just as dangerous as driving drunk.
Plan your route, and avoid congested areas whenever possible.
Stay alert at all times, and never drink and drive.

Following these tips will not guarantee that you will never be involved in an accident, but they can help to reduce the risk. Remember, even if an accident is not your fault, it can still have severe consequences for you and your career. So do everything you can to avoid them.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. A well-versed Macon Personal Injury Lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

1. Give Clear Signs And Signals

Regardless of how careful and cautious they are, truck drivers can’t avoid accidents if other motorists on the road don’t know their intentions. Truckers need to give clear signs and signals when changing lanes or making turns. Unfortunately, many car drivers often fail to notice these signals, resulting in serious accidents.

Truck drivers should always avoid going to the blind spots of other trucks. If you can’t see the driver in their mirror, then chances are they can’t see you either.

3. Merge Carefully When Entering The Highway

It is essential to do so gradually and carefully when merging onto the highway. Speeding up to match traffic flow can be dangerous, as it gives other motorists less time to react.

4. Keep A Safe Distance From Other Vehicles

Truck drivers should always maintain a safe distance from other vehicles on the road. This is especially true in bad weather conditions when trucks take longer to stop.

5. Use Extra Caution When Driving Near Schools And Playgrounds

Trucks should always use extra caution when driving near schools and playgrounds. Children can be unpredictable and dart out into the street without warning.

6. Use Extra Caution When You Pass

When passing other vehicles, use extra caution and give yourself plenty of room. Sudden braking or lane changes can cause accidents.

7. Lower Brights When Approaching Other Vehicles

When approaching other vehicles, truck drivers should lower their brights. This will help to avoid blinding the other driver and causing an accident.

8. Avoid Getting Distracted

Truck drivers need to avoid getting distracted while driving. This can be difficult, as many things can cause distractions, including cell phones, GPS devices, and other passengers in the cab. If you must use a cell phone or GPS device, pull over to a safe location first. And if you have passengers in the cab, make sure to keep them quiet and out of the way.

9. Stay In The Right Lane Whenever Possible

Truck drivers should stay in the right lane whenever possible. This will help to keep traffic moving and reduce the risk of accidents.

10. Be Aware Of Road Conditions

Truck drivers should be aware of the road conditions at all times. This includes checking for potholes, icy roads, and other potential hazards.

Common Causes Of Truck Accidents

As a truck driver, you should be aware of the most common causes of truck accidents. This will help you to be more cautious and avoid these situations altogether. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

1. Driver Error

This is the number one cause of truck accidents, and it can be caused by a variety of factors such as fatigue, distractions, and inexperience.

2. Mechanical Problems

Trucks are complex machines, and it is not uncommon for them to experience mechanical problems. These problems can often lead to accidents.

3. Poor Weather Conditions

Bad weather can make driving a truck very dangerous, and it is one of the leading causes of truck accidents.

Final Words

If you take the road next to a heavy vehicle like a truck or bus, you need to be extra vigilant. These big boys are not easy to stop, and they will take up most of the road, so there would be hardly any space for you should an emergency happen. Remember that even if these drivers do their best to avoid accidents, there are still factors beyond their control.

It would be best if you could avoid being in their blind spot. Do not tailgate and always give them enough space should they need to stop or change lanes. You should also use your horn when necessary to get their attention, especially when it is dark or nasty weather. Lastly, do not cut them off as this will only anger the driver and cause an accident.

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Arnab

Arnab is a professional blogger, having an enormous interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, He carries out sharing sentient blogs.

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5 COMMON CAUSES OF MISSOURI TRUCK ACCIDENTS

A truck accident is just as it sounds, devastating and fatal. No one ever hopes to encounter a truck accident, but unfortunately, it happens every now and then on Missouri roads. Although the annual number of truck accidents in Missouri may seem low compared to the number of car accidents in the state, truck accidents are often more dangerous and fatal. According to the Missouri department of transportation reports, accidents involving commercial trucks and trailers account for 11-15% of traffic deaths every year. Let's look at some common causes of Missouri truck accidents to help you avoid them. 1. Driver fatigue Commercial truck driving can be a high-stress, high-pressure job. In most cases, truck drivers are required to deliver goods to certain destinations over a very short period. As such, they have to drive long distances with fewer breaks and rests to meet the delivery timelines. At times the distance to be driven requires the driver to spend several days on the road with a few hours of sleep. Consequently, they are fatigued, lose concentration, and have a slow reaction time to road emergencies. Others actually fall asleep unconsciously when driving, leading to accidents. According to a truck accident lawyer in Missouri, driver fatigue remains the most common cause of Missouri truck crashes. 2. Poor vehicle maintenance Commercial trucks are driven miles and miles for several days to deliver goods to different destinations. At times that involves driving on rough terrains to deliver goods in the rural areas. With the combination of harsh roads, weather extremities, constant driving, everyday wear, and tear and irregular maintenance, trucks tend to break down faster than regular vehicles. Also, truck failure on the road is usually hard to control than in standard vehicles, and motorists are at a higher risk of injury when a truck accident occurs. 3. Weather extremities Truck drivers are extremely affected by bad weather. As a matter of fact, truck drivers have difficulty maneuvering in bad weather conditions such as snow due to their heavy loads and slower stopping speeds. In most cases, a trucker or trailer is at risk of hydroplaning, flipping over, or jackknifing when it loses control due to bad weather, especially during winter. Always leave ample space when trailing a truck in bad weather. 4. Poor loading techniques Proper cargo loading is necessary for logistics. Warehouse workers should follow the appropriate cargo loading etiquette when loading cargo on trucks for transportation. But not all of them know the rules, and some ignore them. Poor loading techniques such as overhauling can cause a truck to malfunction while on the road. 5. Poor training There are strict requirements and even the number of training hours a driver should take to drive a commercial truck. However, some commercial truck drivers manage to hit the road without meeting those requirements. Such drivers put the other motorists at risk because they are not well trained and lack the experience to drive commercial trucks. The takeaway Always be extra careful when trailing a truck on the road. You should seek legal representation if you or a loved one is injured in a truck accident. Read Also: 7 Ways Truck Accidents Differ from the Regular Car Crashes 5 Different Types of Car Accident Claim 10 Causes Of Uber Accidents In The United States

Rochester Buick GMC Buying Tips When Wanting A New Car

Buying a new car is a huge investment. Don’t make a haphazard decision just because of you’re frequently encountering good car deals in public places and media such as the internet and television. You have to think of a lot of things first before purchasing one. Buick is an American company under the General Motors group. They are famous for selling luxury cars and most of their clients are the wealthier ones. Their main market is Chinese, but they also have units all around the globe. GMC, on the other hand, is also a company under General Motors that mainly focuses on trucks and utility vehicles. Here are some tips when buying a Buick or GMC in Rochester: 1. Research and read a lot: You might already have a Buick or GMC car unit in mind, but you have to do extensive research if it’s worth to buy that one or you should check out other options. Gather all information—price, specifications, features, performance, etc., and decide if it will be a worthy investment. It’s likely that there will be lots of reviews online from different people who have experience with a particular model. If there are more negative reviews in the car of your choice, you might want to look for other alternatives. 2. Look around: Car dealing companies offer different packages and rates. Before deciding which Buick or GMC model to buy and where it’s better to explore your options. You might be surprised that this particular dealer has an excellent offer for the car model you like, but the other dealer still has its regular price. Click here to start looking for and comparing units. Comparing dealers and models can also give you savings when buying a car. 3. Know your priority: When buying a car, you have to know the main priority why are you purchasing a new one. For example, if your reason to buy a new car is that your family is getting big and there’s not enough room for all of you, you have to stick to the idea that you have to get a bigger car—probably a Buick Enclave Avenir SUV or GMC Terrain. Don’t get swayed with deals once you visit a car dealer office. Your priority should determine the choice of car you’ll be buying. You don’t want to end up buying a different Buick that doesn’t fit your purpose just because it’s on sale or it comes with a good deal. 4. Stick to your budget: You have to be financially ready before deciding to buy a new car. Wise car buyers usually set a maximum budget when they plan to purchase a new one and don’t go overboard. Buy a model based on its functionality and not by its appeal. The budget you need to set when you have plans of buying a Buick or GMC should be dependent on the model, transmission, its purpose, and other features. Again, don’t be swayed by other car deals when you go car shopping, especially if there’s a higher chance of going beyond your budget limit. 5. Explore your payment options: One reason why buying a car is a huge decision is because you’ll get tied for quite sometime paying for it. Unless you are buying it in cash or a straight payment, you need to think about the payment options available for car financing. Usually, you only need to secure a down payment for you to be able to purchase a new one. The remaining balance is usually coursed through financing options. You can decide to avail a car loan from a bank or a credit union. Your choice should depend on the maximum loanable amount and interest rates. Usually, a credit union is a better choice since it offers lower interest rates in loans. Also, you have to make sure that you have the capability of paying regularly. You don’t want to end up losing your investment because you’re unable to fulfill your monthly dues. 6. Get insurance: The comprehensive package that goes with your brand-new Buick or GMC should be maintained. Getting insurance for your vehicle will give you security for your investment. Since accidents can happen anytime, it’s better to keep your car insured. Especially since natural calamities are harsh and unpredictable, keeping your comprehensive package will save your investment. 7. Consider other expenses and maintenance fees: There are a lot of expenses associated with the purchase of a new car. Aside from the retail price of the vehicle, you have to allocate additional costs for tires, tune-ups, change oils, and preventive maintenance. You should not neglect these things because these are important to maintain your car in good condition and to get the most out of your money. You also need to think of payments for your insurance and annual registration. Final Thoughts: Buying a car is a huge decision. There are a lot of considerations to think about before signing a deal. Make sure to stick to your budget and priority. Also, you can get the best value for your money by considering insurance and maintenance costs to keep your Buick or GMC in good condition so you can use it longer. Read Also: Car Insurance For Electric Vehicles Explained Why You Need Classic Car Insurance? Invest In A New Car, Without A Financial Liability

How to Get An Accurate Valuation of Your Motorcycle When Selling

Looking to sell your ride? No matter what the reason is, this can always feel like quite an ordeal and especially if you have not done it before. Fortunately, it does not have to be a stressful and lengthy process if you know how to go about making a sale and can find suitable buyers and the internet has made it easier than ever for people to connect with buyers. One of the major processes to go through and perhaps the most important one is determining a fair asking price. You do not want to overcharge somebody as they will simply look elsewhere to get a better deal, but, equally, you do not want to undercharge and get the most possible for the bike. This can make it tricky to establish a fair price and particularly when you factor in the no two bikes are the same when you look into mileage, wear and tear, make, model, age etc. Classifieds : One way to determine a price for your bike is to browse the classifieds to find a bike which is the same make and model with similar mileage and condition. Previously, this was a tedious task that involved flicking through the papers, but nowadays you can simply find bikes for sale that are similar to your own and use this as a starting point to determine a price. Online Tools : Another way to establish an asking price is to take advantage of online tools which are often free to use on various dealers websites. These will ask a few simple questions and then come back to you with an instant figure, but keep in mind that a dealership will always charge slightly more and it does not take everything about the bike into consideration. Professional Valuation : The best way to reach a completely accurate valuation of your motorcycle is to use the services of a specialist. These companies use a team of experts who rigorously scrutinize trends and movements in the market to reach a fair fee for your bike. Second-hand dealerships use these services to price their entire fleet, so you know that you are in good hands when you use one of these reputable companies and it is a good idea to show any prospective buyers that this is where you obtained the figure from. Negotiating : These are the best ways to establish a fair asking price when selling your motorbike, but it is important to remember that any potential buyer may want to negotiate a price so you should be willing to do this. Always show them how you have reached your asking price and be firm yet friendly when trying to work out a price with the buyer. Selling a bike can be tricky and particularly if it is your first time. It is vital that you establish a fair asking price for the bike as otherwise, you will not attract any buyers, plus you also need to make sure that you do not undercharge so use the above to come to a fair starting price for the bike. Read Also : Things To Consider Before Buying Your First Motorcycle Will EBikes Save The Planet? How To Choose The Right Motorcycle Tires For The Motorcycle

10 Tips to Prevent Truck Accidents: The Complete Guide for Truck Drivers