Stay alert when driving near semi-trucks

You have passed hundreds if not thousands of them during the time you have been driving on Kentucky highways. Semi-trucks can be found on almost every highway, interstate and even some city roads from coast to coast. You may be so accustomed to seeing them, that they simply blend into the other traffic you pass on a daily basis.

Even though you have become desensitized to the presence of semi-trucks, you should still be cautious when you are driving near one. Due to their size and inability to react to sudden hazards, semi-trucks will always pose a threat to other drivers. Even if another passenger car causes a semi-truck to have an accident, other drivers in the vicinity can suffer the consequences. Read further for some common causes of truck accidents so that you and your family can stay safe on the road.

Other vehicles

As mentioned above, other passenger vehicles can easily cause a semi-truck to become involved in an accident. For example, if a vehicle comes to a sudden and unexpected stop, the truck driver may inadvertently cause an accident by trying to avoid hitting the car in front that slammed on the breaks. Other actions that can cause a semi-truck to have an accident include riding in the truck’s blind spot, unsafe passing and improper merging.

Commercial trucks

While many truck accidents are caused by other drivers or road hazards, plenty of them are also caused by the commercial drivers. Even though semi-truck drivers must complete training courses and obtain a commercial driver’s license, this is no guarantee that they will always follow the rules.

For example, if the training the driver participated in was sub-par, he or she may not be using appropriate driving techniques, obeying safety regulations, or have the necessary skills to maneuver the big-rig in a defensive manner when the situation requires it.

In addition, many trucking companies maintain schedules that encourage drivers to speed and make other risky decisions while on the road. Overloading and un-secure loads can also lead to catastrophic accidents.

If you have been involved in an accident with a semi-truck in Kentucky, it is important to remember that you have rights and options. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, the damage to your car and other property, and lost wages. You should not have to suffer financial losses due to another driver’s reckless acts. Speak to a Lexington semi-truck accident lawyer to review your legal options.