Safety Tips when Driving Near a Tractor Trailer
In February 2021, a Madison County woman lost her life when her SUV collided with a moving tractor-trailer. She was traveling with her two young children, ages 6 and 8, who were transported to a nearby hospital with injuries. This was a horrible event, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those involved. This type of accident happens all too often, particularly as Florida’s roads become more and more congested.
As a Tampa Bay personal injury attorney law firm, we know that most collisions or other types of impacts involving tractor-trailers are preventable. Tractors and tractor-trailers take up more space on the road, need more room to maneuver when in motion, and take far longer to come to a complete stop than regular passenger vehicles. They present extra danger on our roads.
Stay Safer with These Tips
Like all drivers on the roads today, the driver of a tractor-trailer bears the ultimate responsibility to drive safely, comply with all traffic rules, and take care not to present a danger to other drivers and pedestrians around them. That is a given. But there are steps you can take to be extra careful when you see a big rig on the road. As a rule of thumb, if you see a tractor-trailer, make it a rule for yourself that you’re going to give this vehicle an enormous amount of space. Take some time to learn a tractor-trailer’s blind spots.
• Avoid 30 feet in front of the tractor-trailer and 30 feet directly behind a tractor-trailer at all times.
• Avoid the area directly under the driver’s-side window in the lane immediately to the left and behind the same window for about 20 feet.
• Avoid the two right lanes of a tractor-trailer for nearly the entire length of the rig.
• Never be on the right side of a tractor-trailer when it’s making a right turn.
• When passing one of these large rigs, do not do so until you can see the front fully in your rear-view mirror.
If you remember nothing else, remember that if you cannot see the driver’s face in their side mirrors, there is a high chance they cannot see you.
Never hesitate to contact a tractor-trailer accident attorney for a consultation if you’ve been involved in any impact with a tractor-trailer. The attorneys at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore are trained to handle questions related to tractor trailer rig accident injuries in the Tampa Bay area. Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore is your trusted Tampa Bay tractor-trailer accident attorney.
Accidents are traumatizing. Worse yet, hit and run accidents are even more brutal and horrifying, especially when the driver goes untraced. Victims are left bearing the brunt of the accident without holding anyone accountable for their injuries. As such, you may need a Tampa Bay car accident attorney for legal counsel and support.
According to Florida law, drivers are required to stop at the accident scene and identify themselves. Regrettably, not all motorists abide by this law. In fact, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the year 2020 saw an 18 percent spike in hit and run fatalities. While the total number of such crashes decreased by 13 percent in 2020, the rise in deaths left Florida’s families reeling.
What to do in a hit and run situation?
Most drivers that leave the scene of an accident before they are identified are at fault. Sometimes, it could be panic that makes them flee, but mostly they are either drunk, carry no insurance, or violate other traffic rules. Whatever the reason, hit and run incidents are illegal and diminish the chances of the accident victim getting immediate medical care.
Victims can’t dictate the action of offenders, as much as we might wish that they could. So it’s vital to understand what you need to do to avoid worsening the situation. First, it’s advisable to stay as calm as possible while making sure you are okay. Other steps you can take when involved in a crash include:
• If possible, move to the side of the road to avoid a secondary accident.
• Try to identify the driver. If you can do so safely, write down details about the other vehicle (color, model, or partial license plate number) immediately after the accident when your mind is still fresh.
• Check the condition of others involved. Contact 911 if there are injuries or the vehicle is disabled.
How a lawyer can help in hit and run accidents
Accidents, including hit and runs, leave a trail of destruction along their paths. Loss of income and injuries are some costs of auto accidents. After the unfortunate hit and run accident, the chances of getting justice might seem slim.
However, with the help of a proper Tampa Bay hit and run accident attorney, justice is on the way. They will investigate the crash, work to prove liability, explore all compensation options available, and explain your legal rights. A good personal injury attorney handles all the legal paperwork while you focus on your recovery.
Tampa Bay Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, you might feel as if you are alone. However, at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore, we’ve got your back. As your Tampa Bay accident attorney, we are compassionate and knowledgeable about all aspects of personal injury law, including hit and run situations. Contact us today, and we will help you get the compensation – and justice — you deserve.
