West Law Firm LC

West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers | Charleston WV attorneys

TOLL FREE: 1.877.943.9378

  • Home
  • Our Attorneys
  • Case Types
    • Car Accidents
    • Tractor Trailer Accidents
    • Work Accidents
    • Coal Mining Injuries
    • West Virginia Brain Injury Lawyers
    • West Virginia Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
    • Wrongful Death
    • Medical Malpractice
    • West Virginia Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Lawyers
    • Slip and Falls
    • Natural Gas Drilling Injuries
    • Insurance Violations
    • West Virginia Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
    • Catastrophic Injuries
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Legal Resources
    • Personal Injury FAQs
    • No Fee Unless You Win Promise
    • WV Car Accident Tips
  • Safety & Injury Blog
Home / auto accident tips / The Art of Defensive Driving When Traveling Near Big Trucks and Buses in West Virginia

The Art of Defensive Driving When Traveling Near Big Trucks and Buses in West Virginia

Share this:

  • Tweet

Point of view from truck driverTrucks are still the number one way that most goods move around West Virginia and the United States.  Tractor trailers haul just about everything from eggs and butter to printers and iPhones. Buses are also an integral part of everyday life for many, especially for those who commute to work or school by bus.

Unfortunately, each year over 90,000 large trucks and buses in the U.S. are involved in crashes that result in injury or death, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In other words, every single day, about 250 commercial trucks and buses are involved in accidents that cause injury or death. There are also over 340,000 commercial truck crashes every year involving property damage only. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help you avoid a big truck or bus crash.

Five Steps to Safety When Sharing West Virginia Roads with Big Trucks and Buses

Blind Spots – Stay Out Of Them

Large trucks and buses have major blinds spots around the vehicle.  Specifically, trucks and buses have blinds spots: Stay out of big truck and bus no zones in WV infographic demonstrating truck and bus blind spots

  • 20 feet in front of the vehicle because of the vehicle’s height
  • 30 feet behind the vehicle because the side view mirrors are partially blocked by the length of the vehicle
  • 1 lane directly to the vehicle’s left
  • 2 lanes to the vehicle’s right

Now that you know where big truck and bus blinds spots are, try to stay out of those blinds spots as much as possible by slowing down or temporarily speeding up.  Staying visible to the truck driver is important: A good rule of thumb is that ‘if you can’t see them, they can’t see you.’  Put another way, if you can’t see the driver in the truck’s side mirror, assume the driver cannot see you.

Safely Pass a Large Truck or Bus

Here are four steps that can help you safely pass a large truck or bus:

  • Minimize the truck driver’s blind spots: Before passing, be sure that you can see the driver in the mirror.  That way, you know that you are not in a blind spot.
  • Signal clearly, then move into the left lane and accelerate.
  • Accelerate so that you can pass the truck or bus safely and promptly.  Try not to linger in the large vehicle’s blind spot. Thus, it’s important to time your passing when you can pass the truck or bus as quickly as possible. Don’t try to pass when there’s another vehicle ahead of you blocking your passing.
  • Allow for plenty of space before returning to lane the truck or bus is in because of the truck driver’s blind spots and slow stopping distance.

In addition to those steps, there are a few other things to keep in mind.  Try not to pass a truck or bus on a downgrade.  Heavy trucks and buses tend to pick up speed downhill.  Also, never pass from the right lane.  As you can see above, large vehicles have more of a blind spot on their right side.

If a truck or bus is passing you, slow down a little and give the vehicle plenty of room, which will minimize the time you are in the vehicle’s blind spot.

Avoid Cutting Off A Bus or Truck

As you are likely aware, cutting in front of a truck or bus too closely is a dangerous move.  If you are in the driver’s blind spot, then cutting right in front of a truck will surprise the driver and might cause a crash.  Moreover, not giving enough space in front of a bus or truck may not allow the driver to slow down in time, given that large vehicles require more stopping space.

Hang Back A Little

There is some “pseudo-driving-science” that says that if you tailgate a truck you will save on fuel because the truck takes away any wind resistance.  While that might seem interesting for a physics lesson, hanging back from a truck on the road will you help you avoid a big truck crash.  Being right behind a truck or bus puts in you in that vehicle’s blind spot, and thus if you fail to stop in time you could be in deadly danger.  Also, stopping close behind a truck could be perilous when the truck and you are stopped on an upgrade.  The bus or truck may roll back.

Anticipate Wide Turns

Trucks and buses swing wide on turns.  As you have surely seen, some trucks will initiate a turn from the middle of the road to make sure that the entire trailer will negotiate the turn without hitting the curb. So, if a truck has a turn signal on, you should never try to get between the truck and the curb.  A breathless attempt to squeeze past a turning truck will not end well.

Reminders of the Fundamentals of Safe Driving in West Virginia

Like all great coaches and athletes know, fundamentals are the keys to success. This is equally true for traveling safely in West Virginia. Although you already know the fundamentals, reminders are sometimes helpful. The fundamentals of safe, defensive driving include:

  • Always wear your seat belt
  • Keep first things first: Stay focused on driving when driving
  • Avoid drowsy or impaired driving
  • Don’t follow other vehicles too closely
  • Follow the rules of the road

Get a Free Consultation with an Experienced  West Virginia Truck and Bus Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a West Virginia car, truck or bus accident due to the carelessness of another driver, we invite you to contact the West Law Firm for a Free Consultation.  We provide the highest quality legal services and will work with passion and skill to get you the best possible outcome for your case.  Call us today at 1-877-943-9378 (WEST).

Share this:

  • Tweet

Written by Brooks West, Esq. · Categorized: auto accident tips, automobile safety, Big Truck & Bus Safety

No Fee Unless You WinGoogle 5 Star Client RatingBetter Business Bureau A+ Accredited Business

Free Case Evaluation With Experienced Attorney

Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

We’re On Facebook

We’re On Facebook

Testimonials

West Law firm is Amazing. Brooks West and Kevin Davis went above and beyond what I had hoped from a lawyer after another driver crashed into my car and fled the scene. My family an I are very grateful to have had such a professional, dedicated group of lawyers working to get the matter resolved…very quickly  May 2014
MattFayetteville, WV
More Reviews
Brooks West is an excellent attorney.  He was very thorough and responsive to our calls and e-mails, unlike the previous personal injury law firm we had contacted.  He did everything we expected and more.  We would highly recommend him to our friends and family.
Frank and JoanRipley, WV
More Reviews
You can’t put into words how amazing Attorney West, Brooks is. His services are speedy and he’s always available.  He truly goes to the end and back for his clients.. Definitely highly recommended by my family and myself
The Powell Family Charleston, West Virginia
More Reviews
I was in need of a personal injury lawyer and I called West Law Firm. I felt my legal matter was given the highest quality of legal service. I was very satisfied with the outcome of my case with Mr. West and would highly recommend him. Thank you very much.
BrittanyHurricane, WV
More Reviews
WV personal injury attorney Brooks West and his staff at West Law Firm did more for me and my car accident claim than I would have expected from a lawyer. As a result, I got a great settlement and was able to get the medical care I needed. Thanks West Law Firm!
Mary Charleston, West Virginia
More Reviews
Brooks advocates 100% for his clients.
JudgeKanawha County Circuit Court
More Reviews
The driver who caused the car accident lied to the insurance company about what happened, so no lawyer would help me. Then I found West Law Firm. They helped me get the medical treatment I needed and more compensation than I thought possible.
RonSt. Albans, West Virginia
More Reviews

1201 Jefferson Road, Charleston, West Virginia 25309 | Local: 304-343-9378 | Toll Free: 877-943-9378

google_plustwitterfacebooklinkedinbing

Insights from the Blog

The Art of Defensive Driving When Traveling Near Big Trucks and Buses in West Virginia

Trucks are still the number one way that most goods move around West Virginia and the United States. ...

Tire Blowouts Linked to West Virginia Auto and Trucking Crashes

Tire blowouts on commercial trucks and automobiles cause serious injury and death each year on West ...

Free Dogs for Christmas from West Law Firm and KCHA

It's the 25 Dogs of Christmas -- West Law Firm is Sponsoring the Adoptions of 25 Dogs and Cats at th ...

Get Your Free Case Evaluation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

© 2010-2018 WEST LAW FIRM LC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Please read our Terms & Conditions before proceeding.

Every legal matter is different. The outcome of each legal case depends upon many factors, including the facts of the case, and no attorney can guarantee a positive result in any particular case. That’s why the West Virginia’s personal injury lawyers at West Law Firm LC focuses on medical malpractice, wrongful death, car accident, social security disability, nursing home abuse, and negligence offers free consultations. We serve all of West Virginia, including Charleston, Clarksburg, St. Albans, Teays Valley, Madison, Parkersburg, Nitro, Winfield, Beckley, Huntington, Logan and Southern West Virginia.West Virginia lawyer Brooks West is the Charleston attorney responsible for this legal advertising. The legal information presented on this lawyer site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, or the formation of a lawyer client relationship. All cases are different. Please contact us for a free evaluation of your case and visit the West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Blog for the latest information related to accident, injury and wrongful death law. For answers to your personal injury questions and the latest auto accident news , you may want to visit this West Virginia law blog on a regular basis. Please check our Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions Page regularly for updates from West Virginia’s Personal Injury Lawyer.