If you get involved in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, you will probably face the greatest risks, not the driver or any passengers in the semi-truck. Drivers need to be aware of this risk any time that they are sharing the road with large trucks.
In one study, it was determined that 68% of people who passed away in truck accidents were those who were occupants of the passenger vehicles.
This is a staggering percentage, but it does make sense. A semi-truck is just massively heavier than a passenger car, at up to 80,000 pounds, and it is also much taller and harder to stop. It carries an incredible amount of kinetic energy, which gets transferred to the other car at the moment of impact. Therefore, it is far more likely that those in the other vehicle are going to suffer serious injuries or pass away in the accident.
What can you do to avoid a crash?
It’s clear that your best option is to attempt to avoid a crash, and one of the top ways to do this is to become a defensive driver. Always watch large trucks carefully to see if they’re going to change lanes or stop suddenly. Look for driving errors and mistakes before they happen. Don’t drive in blind spots where the semi-truck driver can’t see you.
In other words, whenever you’re near a large truck, be as dialed in as you can to safe driving and work to reduce your accident risks. If that isn’t enough, however, and you are seriously injured or a loved one is killed, then you may need to look into your rights to financial compensation.
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