There are bad trucking companies out there and you’ll definitely want to contact a truck accident lawyer if one of them causes you injury or property damage. The fact remains, though, that most truckers are solid professionals who have a job to do and who are very good at it. If you want to help them out on the road and keep yourself safe at the same time, here are a few ways to do it.
Communicate
If you get passed by a truck on a two lane road, or if one is fixing to pass you, slow down a bit so they can clear the oncoming lane faster. It takes a long time to set a truck up for a pass and they generally want to get it over with as quickly as possible. At night, you can flash your headlights at them briefly when they’re far enough ahead of you to come back into the lane, and they’ll generally appreciate the gesture.
Understand Physics
On a steep downhill, a trucker is pretty much at the mercy of gravity. Anticipate that a truck you just passed is going to pass you when you come to a steep downhill and let them by. They’re not harassing you or trying to inconvenience you in anyway. They usually have a very heavy load on a very heavy vehicle and that means that they sometimes just have to go with the flow and, sometimes, that means they’ll end up passing you going down and going slowly on the way back up. Be patient and wait for a flat stretch to pass them again.
Watch their Mirrors
Truckers can only see you in their mirrors when you’re behind them. If you can’t see the mirrors, they have no way of knowing that you’re there. If you’re going to pass a truck, be sure that you’re visible in their driver’s side mirror for a couple of seconds before you start your pass. This lets the trucker know that you’re coming and ensures that you’re not sneaking up on them, which is the last thing you want.
If a driver is negligent and causes a wreck, be sure to contact a Texas truck accident lawyer. These legal professionals understand the laws that apply to trucking companies and can make sure that you have a chance to assert your rights in court. Never accept a check from a trucking company without consulting a lawyer.
