It’s easy to see semi-trucks as extremely dangerous vehicles. Truck drivers have to deal with some truly long shifts through the countryside, and a vehicle that typically weighs more than 25 times your average minivan when full, as per the truck weight limits in the state of Illinois on the American Driver.
Statistically speaking, truck accident fatalities have been dropping. As per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, they dropped a whole 5 percent between 2013 and 2014. However, injury-causing truck accidents have been on a rise, up to about 80,000 in 2014.
What are the reasons, then, for so many accidents? Operating a truck is a relatively save job, but as with all large machinery, there are many things that could go wrong. Oftentimes, driver negligence on part of the other party in the accident is what caused the injury – and because of that, it’s extremely important to beware of the dangers when driving in the vicinity of a semi-truck here in Palatine.
Here are some of the more common causes for semi-truck accidents:
- Irrational Driving Near a Semi-Truck
- Misjudging a Semi-Truck’s Size or Speed
- Unrealistic Schedules and Tiresome Routes
Semi-trucks move very different from other cars. They’re faster than some drivers may think, and changing lanes or breaking takes much longer than with most other vehicles. It’s always a good idea to be a healthy distance away from a big rig whenever it makes a move, especially if the driver’s been on the road for the majority of the day without pause in an effort to meet unrealistic work expectations.
What To Do When You Get Into a Truck Accident
Even if we keep the dangers of driving in or around a big rig in mind, we’re all just human – and mistakes are bound to occur. But when they do, the repercussions can be huge.
If your insurance or the other party’s insurance fails to pay out, then calling an experienced Palatine truck accident lawyer from a local firm or practice, like website.com, can help you get covered appropriately.
