Small passenger vehicles will often need to pass or drive behind large trucks when traveling on Illinois roadways. Semi-trucks are more challenging to drive than a standard vehicle and truck drivers have a limited line of vision which is why drivers of smaller vehicles need to be cautious near large trucks. Motorists can benefit from following some basic rules while passing or following large trucks to reduce the likelihood of being involved in a crash.
What to do when passing or following
When passing a large truck, it’s important to avoid lingering in the driver’s blind spot. If one can’t see the driver’s face in the mirror, then the driver can’t see a vehicle approaching from the side. When merging in front of a large truck, one should allow enough space before merging. Do not attempt to pass a truck in the right lane or while traveling down a steep hill or mountain.
When following a truck, patience is key. These heavy vehicles take longer to get up to speed and longer to stop, especially in an emergency. Drivers following behind a truck should allow plenty of space in between to allow for an unexpected stop. This can also help prevent an accident where a smaller vehicle could slide or be pushed under a truck during an accident.
Help after a truck accident
When a smaller vehicle collides with a truck in Illinois, the driver and passengers in the smaller vehicle can be severely injured. When this occurs, the victim may face a long recovery. If negligence was a contributing factor in the crash, the victim has the right to seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit to cover accident-related expenses.
