No matter where you drive, the chances of encountering a truck are always high. Trucks are the backbone of the modern transport system but, for standard car drivers, they can also be a genuine threat. As a result, when driving near a truck, most drivers know that additional care is needed – but have you ever wondered why this is the case?
There are a few reasons why driving near trucks is so concerning. The first reason is related to speed; the majority of trucks are limited in terms of speed, and can also struggle to both build and maintain speed on a road surface that is anything but perfectly flat. As a result, it’s usually best to put a larger distance than usual between your vehicle and a truck you are driving behind.
Secondly, truck drivers don’t enjoy the same level of visibility as standard car drivers. This is mainly due to the lack of a rear window, which leaves the drivers hugely reliant on the – rather limited – side mirrors instead. It is therefore essential to be particularly careful when overtaking trucks. You should always check that you can see both side mirrors before overtaking – as this means the truck driver can see you – and then signal for a few seconds before starting to overtake.
Unfortunately, even with the greatest precautions, accidents do happen. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, and the accident was the fault of the other driver, then it’s usually best to pursue a legal claim. While this can be tricky – many trucks are owned by big firms, with large legal departments – a positive outcome is all the more likely if you find the right lawyer, which the infographic below should help you to achieve.
