Maintaining Safe Speeds – Truck Drivers and Motorists

Car Accident,Personal Injury,Truck Accident - January 8, 2016 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates

Truck accidents often end in devastating injuries that can cause long-term disabilities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding causes 26 percent of truck wrecks, but these crashes can result from distracted driving, inclement weather and a range of other factors. If you were injured in a collision with a semi-truck, then you should immediately contact an injury lawyer with experience in prosecuting trucking accidents.
Even the safest motorists practicing defensive driving cannot control the actions of other drivers. All too often, commercial truckers drive more hours than allowed by law, or they load their trailers to weights above the maximum capacity. In these circumstances, accident victims may be able to file a lawsuit for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.

If you were in a collision with a truck driver in Illinois, then contact one of our Chicago injury lawyers at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates. We can evaluate the truck accident and your collision to determine if filing a lawsuit is in your best interest. The initial consultation to determine if your claim has merit is free.

Advice from a Chicago Accident Lawyer – Maintaining Safe Speeds – Truck Drivers and Motorists

Truck drivers can help prevent collisions by controlling their speeds. Although the following tips for safer driving are focused towards truck drivers, their principles can be applied to all drivers.

Reducing Speed in Bad Weather

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, truck drivers should monitor the conditions of the road and reduce their speeds accordingly. The weather plays a major role in road safety; snow, ice, wind and heavy rain can increase the likelihood of a collision. Trucks require more stopping distance than other vehicles, so it is critical that CMV drivers slow down in adverse weather conditions.

Be Cautious on Ramps

If a truck is going too fast on an entrance or exit ramp, then the risk of a rollover is high. In fact, speed is one the main contributing factors to truck rollovers. Slow down when approaching a ramp, and be sure to adjust your driving to the ramp’s rise and curve.

Adhere to Speed Limits in Construction Zones

The majority of road construction zones require drivers to slow down. Even if there is no requirement, all drivers should slow down and be cautious of construction workers. The reduced speed limit is necessary in these areas because unprotected workers are extremely vulnerable to injuries in these construction zones. Merge into the appropriate lane before approaching closures, and reduce your speed to avoid braking suddenly or taking unnecessary evasive action when entering a work zone.

Take Curves Slowly

It is often difficult to see beyond a curve in the road. This means that drivers are more likely to be unaware of approaching traffic, increasing the possibility of a head-on collision.
Slow down if you see the road bending. The center of gravity for trucks is significantly higher than smaller cars, making it easier to roll or lose control when approaching a curve with too much speed.

Adjust Your Speed According to Your Load

Commercial vehicles often carry heavy loads. Some companies require drivers to maximize their loads to increase profits.
If your vehicle’s load is approaching its maximum capacity, then be sure to reduce your speed accordingly. The additional weight can increase the likelihood of a rollover, and making abrupt turns at high speeds can cause cargo to fall from the vehicle. It is also important to maintain a greater following distance when carrying heavy loads.
If you suffered an injury in a collision with a semi-truck in Illinois, contact one of our injury attorneys at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates. Our Chicago injury lawyers can evaluate your truck accident to determine if you have valid grounds for a lawsuit. We invite you for a free telephone or in person consultation to discuss your accident and any questions you may have. Even if you do not wish to retain an attorney, we can set you on the right path for free. Most of our Chicago truck accident lawyers have more than 30 years of experience and we have an outstanding track record in helping our clients and creating a strong relationship built on trust, as you can see in our Success Record. Please call our Chicago office at (312) 372-8822, or our Joliet office at (815) 723-8822, or you can call our toll free number at (800)-985-1819.