On the road and the world of driving trucks are big heavy vehicles that carry a lot of potential for damage and destruction.  Trucks carry cargo point A to point B efficiently, but they are far bigger than the majority of other vehicles sharing that road with them.  They weigh in excess of 10,000 lbs., which is at least two times more than the average American automobile.

Unfortunately when these trucks collide with another vehicle, which is almost always smaller and lighter than them, it’s usually not beneficial for the other driver.  500,000 trucking accidents occur each year in the U.S. and of those, 5,000 result in fatalities.  98% of those fatalities occur to individuals in passenger vehicles.  68% of fatal trucking accidents occurred in rural regions as opposed to cities, and 66% of fatal accident occurred during the day as opposed to night.

Even with the staggering amount of fatalities each year in trucking accidents, the amount of trucks on the road is increasing.  Trucking revenues totaled $610 billion recently, and that number is expected to double by 2015.

To compensate for the increase in trucks, both drivers of passenger vehicles and trucks need to be more careful.  Drivers of passenger vehicles should always avoid a few things:

-Driving in a truck’s “No-Zones”, the areas behind and beside commercial trucks where the truck driver has limited or no visibility

-Maneuvering to the right of a truck that is making a right turn

-Changing lanes in front of a truck

-Merging improperly into traffic and cutting off trucks

-Unsafe passing

-Driving between large trucks

-Abandoning a vehicle in a travel lane, or failing to get a disabled vehicle off the highway

-Always report unsafe driving by truck drivers.  Many trucks have a sign on the back of their truck reading “how’s my driving” for a reason, don’t be afraid to report bad drivers

Drivers of passenger vehicles must also keep in mind simple physics.  The heavier something is and the faster it is going, the longer it will take to stop.  A truck can’t stop in nearly the same time as a passenger vehicle can.  Also, the bigger something is, the more force it will hit with.  Usually the driver of the vehicle that is bigger, does better in the collision.

Truck drivers must also be aware of the potential risks of a collision and should always take appropriate measures to ensure they are being as safe as possible.  Drivers of trucks should:

-Drive slowly in work zones

-Keep their distance from other vehicles on the road

-Be aware of their “No-Zones”

-Drive defensively

With these basic safety measures both drivers of passenger cars and truck drivers can contribute to a safer driving environment while sharing the road.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a car accident, call the Law Offices of Keith J. Stone.  Keith Stone and his team have handled many cases involving truck accidents and have gained lots of valuable experience.  They can assist you in locating appropriate medical services and will work to the best of their abilities to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

San Diego, Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Ventura Counties including the cities of:

San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Riverside, Chula Vista, Irvine, Glendale, San Bernardino, Huntington Beach, Oxnard, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Oceanside, Rancho Cucamonga, Santa Clarita, Garden Grove, Ontario, Pomona, Palmdale, Pasadena, Corona, Torrance, Escondido, Lancaster, Orange, Fullerton, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, El Monte, Inglewood, Costa Mesa, Downey, West Covina, Victorville, San Buenaventura (Ventura), Norwalk, Burbank, Carlsbad, Temecula, South Gate, Murrieta, Mission Viejo, Rialto, Compton, El Cajon, Carson, Vista, Westminster, Santa Maria, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Hawthorne, Alhambra, Hesperia, Whittier, Newport Beach, Chino, San Marcos, Buena Park, Lakewood, Indio, Baldwin Park, Chino Hills, Blythe

Keith J. Stone also handles cases originating elsewhere in California and across the USA.