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Commercial Semi Truck Accident Patterns

Commercial trucks are vital to the New York City economy. Yet driving a semi-truck around the five boroughs is not easy. Semi-trucks operate much differently than the average family sedan in terms of how they brake, steer, and create dangerous blind spots. All of these factors can lead to a New York truck accident. In fact, New York is one of the top ten states for the highest average of fatal large truck and bus crashes.

Here is some information about semi-truck driving patterns and how to drive safely and defensively on NYC streets with lots of commercial truck traffic.

Semi-Truck Driving Basics

Due to their large size and heavy weight, it takes semi-trucks about twice the amount of time to stop than an average passenger vehicle. A fully-loaded tractor trailer traveling 65 miles per hour and weighing 80,000 pounds will take nearly the length of two football fields to come to a stop. Additionally, large trucks experience brake lag because these vehicles commonly utilize air brakes rather than hydraulic brakes like a standard car.

In addition to brake issues, New York truck accidents are also often caused by steering. Accidents can occur by over-steering a truck to cause it to roll over, under-steering to veer out of one’s lane, or counter-steering as an overcorrection based on road hazards. Blind spots are a big concern when driving around commercial trucks too, and these are located directly in front of a truck, directly behind a truck, and especially along the right side of the truck. If you can’t see a truck driver’s face in the truck’s side mirror, then chances are that he or she can’t see you either.

Commercial Truck Traffic Safety Tips

Whether you’re driving in New York City or on an interstate leading to other parts of the state, there are many ways to practice safe and defensive driving around trucks. One of the worst things you can do as a driver of a passenger vehicle is to cut off a semi-truck and test its braking speed and reaction time. Always try to stay out of blind spot zones and take extra care to remain visible to commercial truck drivers at all times. Make sure to pass trucks with special care and give trucks extra space as much as possible on busy city streets.

When an 18-wheeler is turning, anticipate that the turn will be wide and never try to squeeze by a turning truck that’s moving more slowly than you’d like. Practice your best patience skills while driving around commercial trucks, with an understanding that these professionals are just doing their jobs and that aggressive driving makes the roadways worse for everyone.

What to Do After a New York Truck Accident

Hopefully, by following these tips, you’ll never have to be involved in a New York truck accident. But if you do, Jeffrey Kestenbaum is your local semi-truck accident lawyer ready to help guide you through the insurance process and obtain the financial compensation you deserve to pay for medical bills and car repairs.

After a New York truck accident occurs, move your vehicle to a safe place if you or other passengers are not seriously injured. Check on all parties to assess injuries and call the police to the scene if injuries or damage have occurred. Whether or not there are injuries or police involvement, document the details of the accident as much as you can, including names of involved parties, license plate numbers, insurance information, accident location, and the make and models of involved vehicles. After filing your insurance claim, a good semi-truck accident lawyer can help you establish evidence of liability, communicate with the other driver’s insurance company, and either negotiate a fair settlement or take the matter to trial if necessary.

Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me

If you are searching for a NYC truck accident lawyer near you, call the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum. Any type of automobile accident can change your entire life, which is why we work diligently to make sure we recover the maximum compensation for our clients. Call us 24/7 at 718-237-5586 or send us a message to speak with a semi-truck accident lawyer and understand your rights.