Covid-19
The safety and health of our community come first. In these extraordinary times we are working remotely most days.

But we are working—working to advocate for our clients and protect their rights. You can reach us by phone and email, just like always. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns, or if you have a situation where we might be able to help.

200+ years

of personal injury
EXPERIENCE
on your side

Photo of the attorneys at Young Ricchiuti Caldwell & Heller, LLC

Icy roads mean extra caution around trucks

On Behalf of | Dec 17, 2021 | Truck Accidents

It is easy to take your safety for granted around semi-trucks. We drive around these vehicles nearly every day of our lives without any kind of incident. But all it takes is a single moment of reckless or negligent driving to add to the 30-year high in trucking accidents.

With winter being here, you can expect more ice and snow on the roads, making accidents more likely. The consequences of a truck accident can be devastating, so here are some things you can do to stay safe around some of the largest vehicles on the road:

Give trucks extra space

Usually, a semi-truck that is full of cargo takes about 600 feet to come to a complete stop on a freeway. If there is ice on the road, they can need twice as much distance or more. To keep yourself from getting in a sudden crash with these trucks, double the distance you would typically keep between yourself and a commercial truck.

Slow down on winter roads

Speed and work against you while driving. The faster you are going, the less time you have to react to a sudden obstacle or come to a complete stop. This is especially true during the winter when we drive on roads covered in snow and black ice. It is better to arrive late than never arrive at all, so be sure to practice some patience this winter.

Avoid blind spots

Truck drivers have a difficult time seeing vehicles immediately next to them. They typically cannot see a car within 30 feet of the front or back, anything on the front half of their left side, and any car on their immediate right for the length of the truck. It is best to remember that if you cannot see the truck driver, they cannot see you.

Trust your instincts

If you feel unsafe around a truck, you probably are. Instead of speeding past a truck to get to a safe spot on the road, allow the truck to pull ahead of you. By remaining a safe distance behind a truck, you can keep an eye on it and properly react to any accident it may get into with an unsafe driver.

FindLaw Network

It Won’t Cost You Anything To Take The Next Step

Start Your Free, No-obligation Case Review