Commercial trucks are known for being large and powerful, so if you are involved in a collision with such a vehicle, you may experience significant property damage and bodily injuries. It’s important to know what to do when you encounter a large truck while traveling on a Virginia highway.
Don’t dawdle when attempting to pass
A commercial vehicle has a much larger blind spot than a typical passenger vehicle. Therefore, if you want to pass a commercial truck on the highway, make sure that you do so as quickly as possible. Doing so minimizes the chances that the larger vehicle tries to make a lane change or take other actions that might result in a serious motor vehicle accident taking place.
Maintain an adequate following distance
If a large truck comes to a stop, you want to make sure that you have enough time to avoid a collision. Colliding with the back of a large truck at highway speeds could result in severe injuries or death for yourself and your passengers. At a minimum, it will likely result in significant damage to your vehicle. It’s especially important to maintain an adequate following distance during periods of inclement weather as it’s even harder to take evasive action on wet roads.
If you are hurt in an accident, you might be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. However, this is only true if the crash was caused by a negligent driver. Cellphone records, witness statements, and a police report may all be used to help prove that your injuries were caused by another person’s irresponsible behavior.