One of the main factors in most truck accidents is the size difference between trucks and other vehicles. You may not realize how much the size of a truck impacts how it can maneuver and the way the driver operates the vehicle.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a truck can weigh up to 30 times more than your vehicle. They are also much taller, often with enough of a difference that your vehicle could fit under the truck.
Stopping
Accidents often happen because a semi-truck cannot stop fast enough. The extra weight and size of the vehicle mean it takes longer to stop. If the road conditions are slippery, it takes even more time, and the instability of the trailer could mean not only the inability to stop but also the potential for jackknifing, which is when the trailer slides towards the cab.
You should increase the distance between you and a truck to avoid collisions. Do not follow too closely, and if you are in front of a truck, allow more room and signal early when you are about to brake.
Visibility
The size of a truck also impacts what the driver can see when behind the wheel. He or she does not have the almost 360-degree view that you have in your vehicle. Instead, the driver has large blind spots on both sides, the front and the back. If you are in the blind spot, the driver may not know you are there and could merge into your vehicle or cut you off in traffic.
Pay attention to truck blind spots, and stay out of them. If you cannot see the driver, then the chances are good that he or she cannot see you.
