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How to prevent a large truck crash

On Behalf of | Jan 14, 2019 | Truck Accidents |

In 2016, there were 3,986 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks throughout the United States. Of those who died in such crashes, 66 percent were in passenger vehicles while only 17 percent were large truck occupants. Although large truck crashes can result in serious injuries and deaths to people on New York roadways, there are ways to avoid them. One way to do this is to keep an eye on traffic up to a half-mile ahead.

Doing so may make it easier to anticipate the actions of a larger vehicle and others on the road. Vehicles that are directly behind a commercial vehicle should not follow too closely. Ideally, a person will keep his or her car at least 500 feet behind a commercial truck. As weather and road conditions can play a role in an accident, drivers should take precautions in construction zones or times of rain, fog or snow.

When poor weather conditions are present, it is important to drive slower than normal. It is also a good idea to use windshield wipers and headlights to increase visibility. In some cases, it may be best to simply pull over until the worst of the rain or snow is over. Finally, drivers can avoid accidents by getting rid of distractions and looking for signs that others may be driving while distracted.

Accidents caused by tired, impaired or poorly-trained truck drivers may result in serious injuries to occupants of other vehicles. Victims may be entitled to have medical bills paid as well as to be compensated for lost wages or future earnings. People who have been harmed in such a manner might want to have the assistance of an attorney throughout the process.