Even though most truck drivers are cautious and mindful of others on the road, there’s always the possibility of an accident. If a trucker makes even a minor mistake it could result in a serious accident, injuries and possibly death.
These mistakes are all too common
As you know, there are many mistakes a driver can make that have the potential to cause an accident. Here are some of the most common mistakes that truckers make:
- Drowsy driving: Truckers who spend many consecutive hours on the road are more likely to become drowsy while they’re behind the wheel. Even though there are laws to protect against this, it’s not always enough to keep drowsy truckers off the road.
- Distracted driving: Truckers have a lot going on when they’re operating their vehicle. And for that reason, they could become distracted. For example, if they’re trying to read a map, they won’t have their eyes on the road. The same holds true of eating, drinking, talking to a passenger or using a cellphone.
- Driving under the influence: All truckers know better than to drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or prescription medication, but that doesn’t mean that they’ll avoid this potentially costly mistake.
- Reckless driving: There’s a good chance you’ve come across a reckless trucker before. You know the type. They speed, pass you in the right lane, honk their horn and neglect to use turn signals. It’s these types of drivers that put your safety and well-being at risk.
What to do after a car-truck accident
Even if you’ve do whatever you can to avoid an accident with a commercial truck, it’s not always good enough. You don’t have any control over what another driver may do.
If you’re injured in a car-truck accident, your first thought should be to call 911 for help. This will allow you to receive treatment as quickly as possible.
When possible, file an insurance claim, review the police report and look into all the ways you can hold the negligent trucker responsible for your injuries, damage to your vehicle and other losses caused by the accident.
