It’s important to be cautious when there is a semitruck close to you on the road. If a crash were to happen, the fact that they are much larger and heavier means you could be seriously injured.
One of the key things to understand is that poor positioning by the driver of the smaller vehicle is a factor in many collisions between trucks and these smaller vehicles. Every truck has large danger zones around it that other drivers need to be aware of when they share the road with them.
In front of the driver
Car drivers must avoid pulling in too close in front of a truck after overtaking it. Doing so does not leave the truck driver long enough to stop their vehicle and give them the space they need. Remember, a heavy vehicle can take a long time to slow down.
Behind the truck
Drivers should stay far enough back that they can see themselves in the truck driver’s mirror. Any closer than that and the truck driver won’t be able to see them. Being too close also risks an underride accident if the truck driver has to brake suddenly
To the left or right of the vehicle
Driving next to a truck may sometimes seem advantageous. For instance, it can shield you from gusts while crossing an exposed bridge on a windy day. However, it brings considerable risks. For example:
- The trucker could be forced to veer to your side to avoid something in front of them. You are more likely to get hit if you are very close.
- The gusts you are trying to avoid could cause the trailer to topple onto you.
- You may be right in the truck’s path If it explodes or something falls off it.
- The driver may maneuver into you because they don’t know you are there due to the blind spots.
Poor positioning can make it harder to get adequate compensation in a collision with a truck, so it’s important to have legal guidance to help you highlight negligence by the truck driver.