Now that Christmas just around the corner, Connecticut residents are in the midst of the holiday season. Along with the holidays comes cold weather and treacherous road conditions. Using safe driving techniques is everyone’s responsibility. At Adler Law Group, LLC, we often represent clients injured in a crash due to the negligence of a big rig driver.
According to Thinking Driver, drivers of passenger vehicles can take steps to minimize the chance of a collision with a big truck.
Leave at least a four-second gap when passing a semi-truck. Due to size and weight, it takes longer for commercial trucks to slow down or stop than it does for a car or pickup truck. The extra space gives the driver a chance to respond to your position and issues caused by slick roads. Make sure you can see the truck driver in your rear-view mirror after passing. The front of his rig is higher than your car. If you pull in too close after passing the truck, he cannot see you.
Stay out of the blind spots when following a truck. Look for the tractor-trailer’s side-view mirror. If you cannot see it, the driver does not see you. When you are this close, you also cannot see around the truck, which increases your chances of colliding with the trailer if he must hit the brakes.
When roadways are sloppy, professional truck drivers slow down far below the posted speed limit, turn on their hazards and leave significant space between them and the next vehicle. If you see a big truck moving aggressively through traffic, take down the license plate number, your location and the time. Call the trucking company and report the driver. If you sustain injuries as a result of that reckless driving, you may have grounds for a claim. Visit our webpage for more information
