Shreveport Injury Lawyer > Blog > Truck Accident > How To Avoid A Trucking Crash

How To Avoid A Trucking Crash

Collisions in Shreveport involving large trucks like 18-wheelers or semi-trucks often result in debilitating and life-threatening injuries. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) emphasizes that large trucks usually weigh about 20 or 30 times as much as a passenger vehicle like a car or small SUV, which means that collisions often are devastating to occupants of those smaller passenger vehicles. To be sure, big rigs can crush smaller cars, and smaller vehicles can underride large trucks since 18-wheelers have much greater ground clearance. It is important to understand that both truck drivers and other motorists can take steps to prevent collisions. What do you need to know about preventing a serious trucking crash? Consider the following information from our Shreveport truck injury lawyers.

How Truck Drivers Can Prevent Crashes

What can truckers do to help prevent collisions in and around Shreveport? It is important to think about the following safety tips:

Check your truck and its contents before you get on the road, including an assessment of the loading of the trailer and any potential mechanical issues that could result in an accident or problems on the road;
Always drive at a safe speed, which may include slowing down significantly for inclement weather such as a thunderstorm;
Plan your route well ahead of time and avoid a situation where you feel the need to speed to reach your destination.
Avoid all distractions behind the wheel, including texting while driving, talking on a cell phone while driving, eating, and other distractions;
Ensure that you follow the hours-of-service regulations set by the FMCSA.
Always get enough sleep before you drive, recognizing that drowsy driving is a frequent cause of collisions involving large trucks; and
See a doctor if you have signs of sleep apnea, which could lead to a drowsy driving crash;
Never consume alcohol before driving a large truck, and avoid any prescription medications that could cause drowsiness or that could affect your ability to drive safely.

When truck drivers cause crashes, they can be liable for injuries. In addition, other parties also may be liable for injuries, such as the truck driver’s employer. Even when a truck driver’s negligence does not result in the crash, it may still be possible to file a compensation claim.

How Motorists Can Prevent Dangerous Trucking Collisions

Drivers of cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks can also take steps to prevent collisions with large trucks by doing the following:

Avoid driving in a truck’s blind spot;
Always pass an 18-wheeler on the left;
Pass a large truck as quickly as possible;
Leave more distance behind any large truck than you would another passenger vehicle; and
Avoid dangerous driving behaviors such as distracted driving and intoxicated driving.

Contact a Shreveport Truck Injury Attorney

If you or somebody you love got hurt in a large truck crash, you may be eligible to seek financial compensation by filing a claim against a negligent truck driver or another liable party. Do not hesitate to get in touch with our firm to learn more about your options. One of the experienced Shreveport truck injury attorneys at Rice & Kendig, LLC can discuss your case with you today.

Sources:

iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/large-trucks

fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations

By Rice & Kendig, LLC | Posted on January 26, 2023

« What You Should Know About Spinal Injuries In Distracted Driving Collisions

What Steps Should I Take After A Motorcycle Crash? »

What our Clients Are Saying About Us

"I was hesitant about hiring an attorney and filing a lawsuit, however Mr. Rice made me feel comfortable about my decision from day one, assuring me that I was doing..." Read More

Christy S.

"Outstanding service and extremely good at what they do. Everyone on their staff was extremely helpful and helped with whatever I needed. Would encourage anyone in need of a personal..." Read More

Cody A.

"They are fantastic! They took great care of me and made sure that they kept me updated through the entire process. They worked extremely hard, and did everything that they..." Read More

Emily K.

"Rice & Kendig are the best! I love the professionalism and how they do all the work in a timely manner. I love the outstanding team they have and how..." Read More

Shawn S.

Recent Results

$5,100,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client’s motorcycle was hit by a car leaving him in the ICU with facial injuries, arm injuries, and amputation of one leg.

$1,996,460

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was rear-ended while sitting at a stop sign. Neck and back injuries resulting in headaches and disability. Neck injury required surgery.

$1,855,500.80

Motor Vehicle Collision

Defendant driver’s failure to stop at a stop sign caused a collision injuring the client’s leg and ankle (required surgery), knee, hip, back, and chest. The airbags deployed, causing airbag injuries.

$1,800,000

Medical Malpractice

Inadequate life-saving staffing at emergency C-section resulted in child with cerebral palsy, spastic quadriplegia, and developmental delays.

$1,500,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was hit head-on by a delivery truck sustaining injuries to the knee, hand, neck, and back. Neck injury required surgery.

$1,400,000

Workplace Injury

A piece of loading equipment fell on client causing spinal injuries resulting in partial disability.

$1,375,000

Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Collision

Client sustained injuries to head, leg and wrist. Client’s broken leg required surgery. In addition, client sought treatment with a neurologist for his head injury and cognitive issues.

$1,151,000

Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was struck by a vehicle in a gas station parking lot. Client suffered head and brain damage resulting in memory loss.

$1,000,000

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was rear-ended by a drunk driver of an 18-wheeler causing client to suffer short-term memory loss and injuries to the head, neck, shoulders, and back.

$1,000,000

Insurance Bad Faith

Insurance company refused to pay for hail damage to a commercial property.

$1,000,000

Premises Liability

Fall at a hotel convention center caused hand, neck, and low back injuries resulting in a 7-year recovery period.

$1,000,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was hit by a commercial vehicle that ran a stop sign. Injuries to the knee, neck, and back requiring interventional pain management.

$987,610.32

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was rear-ended multiple times by a big rig causing PTSD, spinal injuries requiring spinal fusion surgery, physical therapy, and counseling.

$987,525.93

18-Wheeler Collision

Logging truck’s failure to yield caused client to suffer fractures in the arm and leg, amputation of 3 toes, and shoulder injuries.

$950,000

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was hit by a delivery truck and the vehicle rolled over. Client’s injuries included six broken ribs and a neck injury requiring extensive medical treatment.

$950,000

18-Wheeler Collision

18-wheeler driver turned left, without the protection of a green arrow, in front of client. The collision caused injuries to the hand, neck, shoulder, low back, hip, foot, ankle, and eye.

$800,606.26

Motor Vehicle Collision

A defendant driver turned left, without the protection of a green arrow, into client’s vehicle causing a collision that resulted in a severely broken leg that required immediate surgery, post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of independence, and loss of job.

$800,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Head-on collision that left client with back and neck injuries as well as seat belt injuries. Client’s recovery was lengthy and included physical therapy and injections.

$750,000

Wrongful Death/Medical Malpractice

Child suffered fatal injuries due to complications with anesthesia.

$685,000

Premises Liability

Client sustained two broken legs from a fall over an unreasonably dangerous tripping hazard.

$665,000

Motor Vehicle Collision/Wrongful Death

Client went to the aid of a vehicle accident victim and was struck and killed by a passing vehicle.

$663,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Client was backed into while on the job at an oil field site. Collision resulted in numerous back and neck injuries requiring surgeries.

$650,000

18-Wheeler Collision

18-wheeler driver was rear-ended by another 18-wheeler causing headaches and neck injury.

$625,000

Motor Vehicle Collision

Head-on collision led to wrist and hand injuries that required surgery, seat belt injuries, pain in the neck, sternum, pelvis, abdomen, shoulder, and back, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

$550,000

18-Wheeler Collision

Client was rear-ended by a big rig causing low back and neck pain; physical recovery and treatment included injections, physical therapy, and counseling.