If you live in an area with heavy traffic, like Dallas or Los Angeles, it can take a lot to maneuver a heavy vehicle like a truck. While everyone must obey traffic laws, when you’re driving a heavy-duty vehicle, you must take even extra precautions. However, accidents can happen even with the most careful drivers. Here are some of the most common reasons that truck accidents may happen.
Speeding
You should only operate your car at a certain speed to maintain control and not pose a threat to other drivers. When you don’t maintain that regulated speed limit, you’re much more likely to get into an accident and have fatal results. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, failure to control speed accounts for over 14% of Texas accidents in 2021 and over 26% of nationwide traffic fatalities in 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When you’re speeding, it reduces the amount of time that you can react to another driver or changes in traffic conditions. Plus, the faster you’re driving, the more distance you’ll need to stop the vehicle in time. Imagine the impact when a large vehicle like a truck, RV, or trailer is involved.
Not Staying In Single Lane
When you’re driving your vehicle, you’re supposed to stay in a single lane unless you’re in an area where you can change lanes with permission. You’ll know it’s safe to change lanes when you have a big enough gap to safely do so without colliding with another car. The size of such a gap you need depends on how fast the cars on the road are going, and make sure you always do so with a proper signal.
Distractions
Unfortunately, there are too many people driving on the road while distracted. According to the CDC, there are three different types of distractions that drivers may face:
- Visual
- Manual
- Cognitive
One of the biggest visual distractions is when people take the time to send a text message or check their social media while they’re operating a vehicle. Manual distraction means you’ve taken your hands off of the wheel. For safety purposes, you should drive with both hands on the steering wheel to ensure you can properly control the car as quickly as possible when needed. So if you’re using one hand to send a text or eat a sandwich, you’re impairing your ability to make a quick reaction. Cognitive distractions mean you may physically be doing what you should to drive safely, but your mind is somewhere else. You may be upset because you just had an argument with someone, or you’re tired and your mind is drifting to sleep.
Tailgating
The art of “tailgating” is fun when you’re cheering on your favorite football team at your local stadium. However, when it comes to road tailgating, you’re more likely to be involved in an accident. You’re supposed to give other drivers enough space on the road to stop without colliding with one another. When another driver sees someone tailgating them, it can make them upset. The driver may get paranoid and think someone is following or trying to intimidate them.
If another car or truck tailgates you, do your best to stay calm. Do what you can to gradually slow down and let the tailgater pass if possible. Whatever you do, don’t make a sudden stop or lane change to get away from the person tailgating you, as that can result in an accident.
Just because you follow the rules while operating your vehicle doesn’t mean everyone else will. If you’re involved in a truck accident, you’ll need legal representation to help you. Contact your local truck accident attorney in Dallas for a consultation.
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