Safely Sharing West Virginia Roads with Big Trucks and Buses
Large trucks and buses are involved in over 4,000 U.S. fatal crashes each year. In 2015, 4,311 fatal crashes involved commercial vehicles — 8% more than the year before. Big trucks and buses are especially dangerous because of their immense weight and blind spots, also called No Zones by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
How to Avoid Big Truck Blind Spots
Knowing where big truck and tractor trailer blind spots are is the first step to
avoiding them. As illustrated above and below, a commercial driver has limited visibility because of large blind spots around the front, back, and sides of the vehicle. Striving to stay out of these “No Zones” as much as possible will help you avoid crashes involving big trucks and buses.
Tractor trailer drivers’ biggest blind spot is on the right side of their vehicle. So, the No Zone on their right side is bigger and takes more effort to avoid.
To Pass or Be Passed
One of the most dangerous conditions on West Virginia roadways involving big truck blind spots is when you want to pass a truck or a truck driver wants to pass you. Thus, using extra causing when passing or being passed by big trucks will help keep you safe.
Tractor Trailer Turns, Backing Up and Changing Lanes
When a commercial truck driver is turning, backing up, or changing lanes, blind spots become especially dangerous. Using extra caution when driving around commercial trucks that are turning or changing lanes will help you avoid an automobile collision.
Big Trucks and Tailgating
Because big truck drivers typically don’t have a functioning inside rear-view mirror, they can only see you in their side mirrors. Therefore, large commercial vehicles need a longer following distance so their drivers can see you. If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her mirror, the truck driver can’t see you, according to the FMCSA.
Free Consultation with an Experienced West Virginia Truck Accident Lawyer
We hope these tips and your defensive driving keeps you and your loved ones safe on West Virginia roadways. However, if you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, we invite you to call our experienced West Virginia truck crash lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation. Time is of the essence in commercial truck cases. One of many reasons why this is true is that preserving evidence is critical in big truck and tractor trailer cases, and commercial truck companies only have to keep certain records and evidence for a limited period of time.
Our toll free number is 1-877-943-9378. Also, there’s No Fee unless and until You Win.