Sideswiped by Truck

Tractor trailer accidents happen about 500,000 times a year in the United States, and many of these collisions cause fatalities. There are different types of collisions, including sideswipes and head-on collisions. Being sideswiped by a truck can cause a car or the truck to turn in different directions, in some cases resulting in jackknifes, rollovers, and subsequent collisions with other vehicles. In about 25,000 of the tractor trailer accidents that occur, another vehicle is sideswiped by a truck

Sideswiped by Truck Reasons

Either vehicle involved may cause a side impact accident, but in most cases inattention is the cause. When a truck attempts to aggressively change lanes, a car or other vehicle may be in the driver’s blind spot. Truck drivers are trained to use different techniques for checking these blind spots, but things like impatience or sleep deprivation may cause the driver to forfeit proper procedures.

Smaller vehicles may cause a truck sideswipe accident by failing to ensure proper clearance before changing lanes. This is even more dangerous, as the truck driver may see the car coming, and swerve to avoid the accident out of instinct. If vehicles are travelling in another lane this may cause more than one truck sideswipe accident at the same time.

Other reasons that vehicles may be sideswiped by a truck include:

  • Poor road conditions
  • Decreased visibility
  • Failure to gauge width of narrow roads by either vehicle
  • Confusion in passing construction zones
  • Improper procedures at busy intersections by either vehicle

Sideswiped by Truck Prevention

Passenger vehicles can prevent being sideswiped by trucks by being courteous on the road. Large trucks operate differently than smaller vehicles, so drivers should use extreme caution when passing a truck. A truck should not be passed on the right, or in an intersection. If a truck is signaling a lane change, drivers should not try to pass the truck until the lane change has been completed. Attempting to pass may put a vehicle directly in the truck driver’s blind spot, causing a sideswipe accident. When passing a truck, drivers should always be sure to leave a proper amount of distance between the vehicles.

Sideswiped by Truck Aftermath

Victims of truck sideswipe accidents should consult an attorney as soon as possible. Sideswipe accidents can result in costly medical procedures and repairs. An attorney will be able to help determine who is responsible for these costs. Once it is determined whether or not the victim has a legitimate case, the attorney can help file a truck accident lawsuit and recover financial compensation for sideswipe victims.

 

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Sources:

“An Analysis of Fatal Large Truck Crashes.” U.S. Department of Transportation NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. National Center for Statistics and Analysis, n.d. Web. 24 Oct 2013. <http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/809-569.pdf>.

“Large-Truck Crash Causation Study: An Initial Overview.” U.S. Department of Transportation NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. National Center for Statistics and Analysis, n.d. Web. 24 Oct 2013. <http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810646.pdf>.

“Traffic Collisions by Manner of Collision.” South Carolina Traffoc Collision Fact Book 1999. South Carolina Department of Safety , n.d. Web. 24 Oct 2013. <http://www.scdps.gov/ohs/pdf_files/pg 016 (moc).PDF>.