Your Legal Toolbox
The Abelson Law Firm The Abelson Law Firm Info
hr 1 Practice Areas For Your Safety

Large trucks cause serious personal injury when they collide with cars, motorcycles, and other autos during a truck accident. The Abelson Law Firm has experienced lawyers that handle large truck accident cases and claims. Our attorneys have handled cases in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.

If you are on the highway near a tractor-trailer or semi truck, drive with extra care to reduce the risk of a serious accident. Below are safety guidelines from The Abelson Law Firm to help you protect yourself and your family:

  • Stay out of truck blind spots. Although every truck has side mirrors, the driver still has blind spots – areas directly behind and on both sides of the truck where the driver cannot see cars. Look at the truck; if you can't see the driver's side view mirrors, the driver can't see you. If your car is next to a large truck, either drive on past or back off. If you are passing, try to drive your car on the left side where the blind spot is smaller.
  • Never cut in front of any vehicle – especially a semi truck. Remember that semi trucks require a greater stopping distance. If you force a semi truck to stop quickly, a serious accident could result.
  • Never follow a large truck too closely. Keep 20 to 25 car lengths between the front of your vehicle and the back of a large truck. This extra distance will allow you to see in front of the truck. In case there is congested traffic or an accident up ahead, you will see it in time to stop or safely steer your car away from the danger.
  • Don't get squeezed. Semi truck drivers need to swing wide to the left in order to negotiate a right turn. When truck drivers make wide right turns, they can't see smaller vehicles directly behind or beside them. Never get between the truck and a curb, or you may be in a "squeeze" and suffer serious injuries.
  • Use extra caution when passing a large truck. After you pass a large truck, do not pull your car back into its traffic lane until you can see its headlights in your rear view mirror. Leaving this extra distance gives the truck driver the time to slow down or stop if something is happening on the highway ahead.
  • Watch brake lights. When sharing the highway with a big rig, pay close attention to its brake lights and signals and act accordingly.
  • Always remember that a loaded tractor-trailer or semi truck may need as much as 100 yards -- the length of a football field -- to come to a complete stop. No matter how crowded the highway, make sure to maintain this safe distance. If the truck driver ignores this margin of safety and follows your car too closely, do not take a chance. When you can safely do so, move your car into another traffic lane.
  • Be cautious of others on the roadway. Aggressive and inattentive drivers place others risk. They can also contribute to a semi truck accident that involves an innocent and safe-driving third party. Stay away from aggressive and inattentive drivers.
  • Always use your turn signals when changing lanes. Drivers around you need to know what you are doing to maintain safe driving distances.
  • Always wear your seat belt.
  • Never drink and drive.
  • Be cautious of others on the roadway. Aggressive and inattentive drivers place others risk. They can also contribute to a semi truck accident that involves an innocent and safe-driving third party. Stay away from aggressive and inattentive drivers.
  • Always use your turn signals when changing lanes. Drivers around you need to know what you are doing to maintain safe driving distances.
  • Always wear your seat belt.
  • Never drink and drive.

Useful Links

bottom background to pseudo footer