All vehicle drivers are expected to take extra care on the road this winter as the roads become too slippery, and visibility may be difficult. Driving this winter in Colorado is more difficult in the presence of commercial trucks. These massive vehicles could endanger you and your family on the road, but there are some important things you may want to consider when you find yourself caught in such a devastating incident.
Things to Consider When Involved in a Serious Truck Accident
Getting involved in a car crash with a truck during winter can be the most unfortunate event to happen when on the road. Take, for example, that in Denver, there are lawyers experienced in handling injuries due to trucking accidents. Winter crashes involving semi-trucks are this common. In Denver’s metro area alone, some people including two bystanders were recently hospitalized due to injuries sustained from a collision between a truck and two other vehicles. This kind of incident may leave one permanently disabled, or even worse, with fatal injuries.
Depending on the severity, truck crashes may drastically alter your life in an instant. A collision with a huge vehicle is scary, and the experience is pretty overwhelming, if not life-changing. If you happen to find yourself conscious after figuring in a crash, take a deep breath and try to observe your surroundings. Immediately report the incident to the authorities and seek medical assistance. Keep in mind that some injuries, like internal bleeding, may not be apparent after the crash – which is why a thorough medical check-up is warranted.
Immediately notify your loved ones of what happened. Ask a family member to get information about the truck involved in the crash. As you recover from any injuries and get over the state of shock, try to remember what happened and write it down on a piece of paper. Getting your facts straight is necessary, too.
Why Commercial Trucks are Prone to Crashes
A survey from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined fatigue, alcohol consumption, and speeding as the overall causes of crashes. There are some negligent truck drivers who prefer hitting the roads even when they’ve been sleepless.
Another study also revealed that fatigue is attributed to more than 50 percent of truck crashes. In the U.S. alone, more than 110,000 injuries and 5,000 fatal truck crashes are reported every year. Truck drivers are, in fact, required to follow and maintain a sleeping routine to ensure alertness on the road.
Some Tips to Consider to Avoid Truck Crashes in Winter
When driving alongside heavy or long vehicles, always pass through the left, as truck drivers have a limited periphery when behind the wheels. Refrain from cutting in front of trucks, as it takes a while to make an immediate stop, and the icy roads can make it more difficult for truck brakes to work. The safest thing one can do when driving is to avoid coasting next to large trucks.
Truck crashes are common this winter, as the roads grow slippery. To avoid devastating incidents like this, be sure to drive safely by keeping these tips in mind.