If you are a Louisiana commuter in Lake Charles and the surrounding areas, you likely have to deal with congested traffic on the major roadways. Motorists are typically more vulnerable when they share these roads with commercial vehicles like freight haulers, oil refinery trucks, FedEx and other package delivery trucks, construction vehicles and more. While the presence of large vehicles might be threatening, motorists have to learn how to share the roads safely with the various types of trucks.
The operators of big rigs are not all considerate and careful, and extended hours of driving could cause fatigue that makes them less alert. As a driver of a passenger vehicle, you might be smart not to rely on truckers but rather your own vigilance to avoid accidents that could have catastrophic consequences.
Random facts about truck accidents
Due to the size and weight differences between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, the occupants of the smaller vehicles typically have lower chances of escaping severe injuries or even death. In most of the fatal accidents involving big rigs and passenger vehicles, the deceased were occupants of the cars. Safety authorities claim that most truck vs. car accidents happen during daylight, on dry and straight roads without adverse weather, drugs or alcohol involvement. Furthermore, automobile drivers are at fault in a significant number of such accidents.
What is the No-Zone?
Commercial trucks have blind spots that make it impossible for the drivers to see smaller vehicles. If you learn about those danger areas, or no-zones, you can avoid them, and have a better chance of arriving at your destination safely. Noting the following about no-zone regions might help:
- Although cars have blind spots, large vehicles have larger no-zone areas to their left, right, behind and in front.
- Remember that if you cannot see the driver in one of the truck’s side view mirrors, he or she cannot see you.
- When you travel behind a big rig, make sure you are far enough behind to see the side view mirror.
- Avoid cutting in front of a large vehicle after passing it or when joining traffic from an on-ramp Reducing speed after moving in front of it can also cause problems for a trucker who cannot stop in an instant.
- A truck may need extra space to make a turn. As a driver in a car, you could avoid being struck by leaving enough space and never cutting in between the truck and the shoulder or the curb.
Even if you keep these notes in mind, you could still be vulnerable. An example of a trucker’s negligence is the failure to keep an eye out for slow-moving or backed up traffic ahead, and then not leaving him or herself enough space to come to a halt without striking multiple vehicles.
Your legal rights
If you are suffering the consequences of an accident that involved a negligent commercial truck driver, you might have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is a complicated field of the law that might be easier to navigate with the support and guidance of an experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney. A lawyer can determine whom to name as defendants in a lawsuit in pursuit of financial relief.
