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How To Avoid Truck Accidents

Posted by: KHTS Articles in News Articles July 28, 2020 - 9:25 am 0 788 Views

Trucking is a very dangerous career. A trucker will spend thousands of hours on the road, traveling every corner of the world. So much time spent on the road increases the risk of fatal car accidents – even more so when we consider the magnitude and size of a truck – it is a potential recipe for disaster. Truck accidents are, unfortunately, nearly always fatal. A car colliding with a truck stands no chance, and whether the truck driver or the car driver, one will unfortunately likely not make it. Prevention is better than cure, and there are many ways to prevent truck accidents from taking place in the first place.

This page will seek to tell you how you can avoid truck accidents and car accidents in general.

Have a Lawyer on Retainer

While this point is not necessarily a preventative measure, it is certainly something every trucker must-have. The retainer scheme works by paying a team of attorneys on a monthly basis to cover you in the event of any potential crash. According to one truck accident lawyer in Houston, a truck accident can see a victim claim up to half a million dollars. In most cases, the truck driver or their company will be held responsible for the claim, and will often be the party ordered to pay the compensation; this means that having a lawyer on retainer is an absolute necessity, as you may have to fight tooth and nail with somebody accusing you of having caused a crash.

Do Not Drive When Tired

While it would seem obvious, many people still drive when exhausted. Driving when you are tired seriously increases your chances of having a car accident, and when you are in control of a truck, you must always be on the ball. Most fatal accidents are caused by negligence on the part of drivers. If you are feeling tired when on the road, you should pull over into a designated truck-stop and go to sleep. Trucks have large compartments, meaning you can go to sleep quite comfortably. Never risk driving when tired, as it can kill.

Do Not Drive Under the Influence

Another seemingly self-explanatory point, yet still, millions of people drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol every day. When driving a truck, it is your responsibility to drive responsibly and to drive respectfully. Driving under the influence is a sure-fire way to cause a crash and to kill people. Truck drivers are respected to uphold the laws of the road and to behave as model road users. When driving under the influence, you are almost guaranteeing an accident. Truck drivers can find themselves in a lot of trouble if they are found to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, so act responsibly and save lives.

Keep Your Eyes Open

As was mentioned previously, negligent drivers account for most fatal road accidents all over the globe. By simply keeping your eyes open and paying attention to everything that is going on around you, you protect yourself from any potential danger. There are many people sharing the road with you, and some of them may be drunk, sleepy, or not paying attention, and by keeping your eyes open, you will be able to see if any drivers are potentially at risk of causing a car accident. Constant awareness is an attribute that every truck driver must cultivate for their safety and others’ safety. It can be difficult, admittedly, to know everything that is happening around you, but as it is a truck driver’s job to be on the roads, it is their job to know what is happening on the roads.

Keep Your Truck Serviced

One of the main causes of truck-related accidents is the deterioration of the truck or the quality of the equipment contained within it. It is very important that you keep your truck thoroughly serviced and ensure that your employers do regular maintenance checks to confirm that the truck is fit for road use. Unfortunately, many trucks are not, and it is these trucks that inevitably cause accidents and loss of life. Having your truck serviced should take no more than a few hours and should happen very regularly.

It is quite common for trucks to shed parts on the road and cause accidents. If your employer is refusing to perform maintenance checks on your truck, then report them to a conduct authority and refuse to work until they perform them. Your life is nothing to take chances on.

Now you know a few ways to prevent any trucking accidents. Driving trucks is very dangerous, and it is important to always make sure that you are aware of everything around you, and that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition. Save lives.