Things Car Drivers Need To Look Out For When Driving Near Trucks In Adverse Weather
Posted on: 18 October 2016
Car drivers already know that they're not supposed to tailgate trucks or drive in the blind spot of a truck because of the increased risk of accidents. But there are a few driving situations that car drivers don't really think about when they're driving near trucks in adverse weather. Many people assume that the usual precautions will suffice, but drivers really do need to be more cautious. The bad weather makes the risk of an accident higher, and that's not something car drivers can really brush off.
High Winds
When trying to avoid driving in a truck's blind spot, many people have a tendency to move over to an additional lane. So, for example, if a truck is in the right lane and the car is in the middle lane, the car might move over to the left lane to get out of the immediate danger zone.
In high winds, this can still be a dangerous move because it gives the car driver a false sense of security. High winds can blow a high-profile vehicle over, and if that happens, the car could still end up getting swiped by part of the truck. (If the truck is blown over, it's not going to just tip over and stay in one spot.)
In areas with dangerously high winds, car drivers need to stay well away from trucks. Yes, this can be difficult if there is heavy traffic. But it is still something to aim for.
Rain, Ice, and Snow
Slick roads make braking more difficult, and cars can hydroplane right into the back of a truck even if the car drivers left lots of room. This is a difficult situation to avoid, and liability for the accident could be difficult to determine because of all the circumstances at play. Car drivers need to increase the distance between them and the truck while also reducing speed much more drastically than they might think necessary.
Cars that are carrying a lot of cargo or people -- in other words, a lot of extra weight -- need to take this step even further. The slippery road plus the extra weight make braking the car unexpectedly tough.
This is not to say that truck drivers are never to blame for accidents in bad weather. But if a car driver does not take extra precautions, he or she could end up in a bad accident that might not be the truck driver's fault.
Drivers who have been in accidents with trucks need to speak with experienced lawyers who can help them pick apart what happened before the accident to determine liability. Bad weather and driving near trucks must be handled with caution. Contact a firm like Master Weinstein Moyer PC for more information about what to do if you are in an accident with a truck.
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