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Each year, thousands of people in the United States are killed or seriously injured in accidents involving commercial trucks. Drivers should exercise caution when driving near commercial trucks to help prevent serious accidents.Here are some things to keep in mind about sharing Minnesota roads and highways with commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks:
Truck Drivers Have Large Blind Spots. There are large blind spots around the front, back, and sides of the truck. When cars are in these blind spots, the trucker cannot see them. Always give a truck plenty of space, and try to avoid its blind spots.
Trucks Make Wide turns. Truck drivers often have to swing out to make turns. Give trucks plenty of space when they are making turns. Do not try to squeeze by a truck as it's attempting to make a turn.
Tractor Trailers Require Longer Stopping Distances. Due to the heavy weight of tractor-trailers, it takes longer for trucks to come to a stop. If there’s a sudden stop on the highway, semi-trucks may not have enough stopping distance to avoid a rear-end collision.
In addition to the inherent physical and mechanical characteristics that contribute to truck accidents, a number of other preventable factors can lead to more truck accidents:
Driver fatigue. Long hours, unrealistic schedules and tired drivers increase the likelihood of truck accidents. According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), driver fatigue is a probable factor in 20 to 40% of truck crashes.
Intoxicated driving. The NTSB reports that 67% of fatally injured truck drivers tested positive for alcohol or drugs.
Excessive speed. Drivers operating their trucks at excessive speeds are much more likely to be involved in jackknife or rollover accidents.
Inadequate inspections. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were over 2 million roadside inspection violations last year alone.
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a truck crash in Minnesota, you should seriously consider retaining an experienced Minnesota personal injury lawyer. Fighting an insurance company on your own to secure the compensation you deserve can be an extremely difficult and frustrating process. We can help make the process less difficult. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call Meuser & Associates at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email.
Visit Minnesota Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Law Firm, Meuser & Associates, P.A., at MeuserLaw.com
