Steering Clear of Trucking Accidents Through Memorial Day

A study conducted by the National Coalition for Safer Roads suggests that Memorial Day weekend is the most dangerous of the year. During this time, residents and visitors will be jumping in their vehicles and heading out for long weekend vacations.

Unfortunately, there will also be a lot of commercial vehicles out there trying to make their deadlines. When tractor-trailers share the roadways with our passenger vehicles, serious accidents occur. These commercial drivers will also be pushing hard to get home for the holidays, or setting out to make up for lost time after the weekend.

According to the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were close to 4,000 people killed in traffic accidents that involve a large vehicle in 2013. These accidents have actually been on the rise in recent years. So, lookout! In addition to all of these fatalities, there were also another 95,000 people injured in these kinds of accidents.

Our Atlanta trucking accident lawyers understand that many of these accidents could have been prevented if drivers were more careful when sharing the road with these dangerous vehicles. Unfortunately, it’s the occupants of passenger vehicles who are more likely to be injured and killed in the event of an accident with one of these larger vehicles. We stand virtually no chance against the size, weight and power of these commercial trucks.

• Avoid cutting off these vehicles. When you pass a large truck, look for the front of the truck in your rearview mirror before you pull in front on it.
• Make sure you’ve always got your seat belt buckled — properly. Seat belts are your number one defense against injury or death in the event of an accident.
• Avoid driving in a trucker’s blind spots. These are the areas around the truck in which a driver cannot see. Your best bet is to remember that if you can’t see the driver, then the driver cannot see you.
• Keep 100 percent of your attention on the road. Put down the cell phones and the text messaging devices when you’re in the driver’s seat. It only takes a split second for a fatal accident to happen, and you need every second you’ve got to avoid it.
• Avoid drinking and driving. These kinds of accidents account for about a third of all traffic fatalities recorded every year. And it’s these accidents that are completely preventable. Stay sober and stay alive.