Truck Driver Safety To Prevent Truck Accidents

Our truck accident lawyers have helped hundreds of people injured in accidents. Below, we provide a list of safe driving tips and suggestions for truck drivers. Keeping these safety tips in mind when driving on Michigan roads and highways can save your life and the lives of others.

Take care of yourself:
Truck driver fatigue can significantly increase the risk of a deadly collision. Get plenty of rest before driving. Eat healthy and stay in shape by exercising. Excess weight can cause sleep apnea and driver fatigue, both of which have been connected to causing serious truck accidents.

Slow down in work zones:
Many fatal truck crashes in work zones involve large tractor-trailers. Stay alert and be aware of highway construction. Take your time traveling through work zones; give yourself lots of room and be prepared for the unexpected.

Be aware of your 'no zones':
Many collisions between large commercial trucks and cars take place in the 'no zone' area, meaning the truck driver's blind spots. Assume that other drivers are not aware of your blind spots. Adjust your mirrors and keep alert for drivers traveling in your 'no-zone'.

Turn safely:
When making a sweeping right turn, make sure there are no vehicles traveling in the gap between the curb and your truck.

Keep your distance:
If you hit someone from behind in a rear-end crash, you will be considered at-fault regardless of the situation. Due to their mass, semi-trucks and tractor-trailers need much more stopping distance than automobiles. Always leave enough space between your truck and the motor vehicle in front of you. Take advantage of your truck's height, which allows you a better view of traffic, and anticipate hard breaking situations.

Keep your semi-truck maintained:
Check your brakes regularly. Brake defects are the most common truck out-of-service inspection violation. Learn how to inspect your brakes, identify other safety defects and get them repaired.

Do a pre-trip inspection:
Before each trip, inspect your truck. To ensure continued safe operation, it's recommended that the following maintenance checks be conducted at the beginning of every day the truck is in operation: lubrication oil, water, fuel, air clearer, air compressor, air brake system, tires, slack adjusters, lights, mechanical brakes, shift controls, automatic transmission, warning stickers, ammeter, horn, wind shield wipers and clutch pedal. Remember, a pre-trip inspection isn't just the law, it's also good common sense.

Drive defensively:
Given that many traffic fatalities are linked to aggressive driving behavior, it's important to maintain a safe speed while avoiding aggressive drivers. Excessive speed can only increase your chances of getting in a serious truck accident.

Fasten your seatbelt:
If you haven't learned by now, buckling up is the most important factor in saving lives and reducing injuries on Michigan highways. If you are in a truck accident, a fastened seat belt will keep you in your seat instead of in the windshield. It will also allow you to maintain control of your big-rig. 

Work to improve highway safety:
Be a driving professional when on the road. Help stranded motorists. Notify Michigan safety agencies and law enforcement of auto accidents, unsafe drivers, dangerous road conditions and other situations that can lead to auto accidents.

Our lawyer's message:
Truckers get a bad rap because of the dangerous trucking companies causing accidents.
But we have found that many truck drivers are professional and hard-working people who take their jobs -- and safety -- seriously. By holding the bad trucking companies accountable, we can allow the good ones that make safety a priority to be financially competitive with those that cut corners and put drivers at risk. 

The lawyers of Michigan Auto Law have helped enforce important truck safety regulations to make our roads safer. No other law firm in Michigan has received more jury verdicts or consistently higher settlements for truck accident cases. In fact, the vast majority of our wrongful death and personal injury cases from truck accidents are referred to us by local attorneys, based upon our record of experience and success.

To request a free, no obligation case evaluation with one of our Michigan truck accident attorneys, please fill out our contact form and we will respond to your inquiry within one business day. Or to speak to an attorney immediately, please call (800) 777-0028.

Roadsafeamerica.org also contributed to these truck accident safety tips