Paul J. Hedlund Trucking Accidents Law Blog on Lawyers.com

According to the Federal Highway Administration, there are 19,919,068 automobiles in California.  Sharing the roadways of California are over 13 million trucks.  It seems that automobiles outnumber tractor trailers, but unfortunately, automobiles are no match for tractor trailers on the highway.  The average combination tractor trailer is formidable:

- Weighs 80,000 pounds
- Is 70 feet long
- Takes 40 percent longer to stop than a car does

Even at the speed limit of 55 miles per hour, it is not safe to be in a car in the path of a semi-truck when something goes wrong.  The results can be devastating.  In 2009, there were 263 fatal truck accidents and 7,390 non-fatal crashes with 3,660 injuries involving large trucks in California. Many of these injured victims went on to acquire an experienced truck accident attorney in California to help them recover any compensation they may be owed as a result of their accident.

Avoid becoming a statistic in a California trucking accident

When there are tractor-trailers on the road, here is a recommended precautions:
 

Distance--Be sure there is enough distance between you and a tractor-trailer. Consider that it takes a truck 200-400 feet, on average, to come to a stop when travelling at 55 mph.--the length of an entire football field. It takes a car about 133 feet to stop at that speed. It is wise to keep a safe distance from trucks on the road. Often drivers will cut in front of trucks, but if someone in front of you comes to a quick stop, you are the one in between.  A safe distance to travel in front of any tractor-trailer is 150 feet.

Tailgating--When you are directly behind a tractor-trailer, the truck driver cnanot see your car. If you cannot see the truck's side mirrors, he cannot see you. If you are distracted by phone, music, or scenery, and the truck driver puts on his brakes quickly, you may rear end the truck, which can be fatal.

Tire Blowouts--It is not recommended to drive continually next to a semi. As evidenced by the large pieces of rubber that litter our highways, tire blowouts are frequent on large trucks, often due to the weight they carry, weather conditions, and wearing over the long time trucks spend on the road. Commercial truck tires are six feet around and twelve inches wide with metal threads. When a truck tire blows out, the large, forceful, speeding object could come crashing through your windshield, involving you in a disastrous trucking accident.

Turns—Large tractor-trailers have a “wide right turn” sign on the rear of the trailer.  This is for your protection.  The length of a tractor-trailer is typically 70 feet, creating a large blind spot for the truck driver.  If you pull forward as a truck is turning, your car may be hit because the trucker cannot see you are there.

The large numbers of cars and large trucks on the roadways in the state make it particularly important to use these safety precautions and avoid a truck accident in California.

If you are a victim in a truck accident in California, for immediate assistance, or to schedule an initial consultation or case evaluation with an experienced truck accident lawyer in California, please contact Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman.

Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, PC 
12100 Wilshire Boulevard #950, Los Angeles, CA 90025