Car accidents usually happen when the victims least expect them to, and in the case of serious truck collisions, the resulting confusion can lead to loss of life due to poor judgment.
There are a few things both truck drivers and the occupants of other vehicles can do to either prevent the accident from happening or at least increase their chances of survival. This article will discuss a few tips that are worth remembering in the event of being involved in a truck accident.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Before going further, here is a quick look at some of the most common injuries that truck accident victims can suffer from:
Traumatic brain injuries
Neck and back injuries (whiplash)
Broken bones
Burns
Facial fractures and disfigurement
Lacerations
Internal Injuries
Cuts and bruises
Eight Important Tips To Remember
The following tips are very easy to remember and implement and can be the difference between life and death.
1. Not Sitting Too Close To the Steering Wheel
These days most motor vehicles, including some of the latest commercial trucks come with a host of safety features, such as airbags. Safety features can be different between cars and trucks.
However, for airbags to be effective, the driver mustn't sit too close to the steering wheel. When airbags are released, a large amount of force may cause more harm than good for people sitting too close.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers should sit at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel. Children, on the other hand, should never be allowed to sit in the front seat due to the dangers posed by being stuck by airbags.
2. Wearing a Seatbelt
Drivers should wear seat belts at all times when operating a vehicle. Results from many studies using test dummies show that a seat belt will greatly increase the chances of survival even in cases of high-speed collisions.
3. Maintenance of Safety Equipment
Even though modern trucks are equipped with a host of safety features, these are only effective when properly maintained; otherwise, it will be as if they were not there in the first place. Some important things to look at include brakes, tires, airbags, and lights.
4. Driving Below the Speed Limit
It is important to always drive within the speed limit so that when accidents occur it will be easier to quickly reduce speed to ensure that the impact is not as severe as it would have been. Especially if it is the time of day when many truck drivers are on the road.
5. Remaining Calm
Panicking makes it difficult to remember any of the important steps drivers need to take in the event of an accident. Although it is not easy, by remaining calm, they can make better decisions that can potentially save lives.
6. Subscribing To Emergency Service Providers
These days many emergency service providers equip their clients' vehicles with trackers that will notify them when an accident occurs. It is not always possible for the victim to call for help themselves so in such cases, the tracker will notify emergency services and provide the location of the accident.
7. Getting Help Fast
The sooner victims receive medical attention the higher their chances of survival. Knowing some first aid is also another way to help sustain the victim until help arrives.
8. Moving Away From the Wreckage/Off the Road
In many cases, victims actually survive the initial accident only to be killed in secondary collisions when they are hit by another vehicle that was unaware of the wreckage. Some trucks may also be carrying flammable or hazardous material which is why it is important to move away from the site of the accident as soon as possible.
Steps To Take After a Truck Accident
The journey to receiving compensation for injuries sustained in a truck accident starts on the day of the crash by following these steps:
Seeking medical attention
Obtaining a police report
Gathering important evidence such as witness statements
Calling an experienced truck accident lawyer
The Law Office of Carl Maltese Is Here To Help
Insurance companies will always fight to avoid having to pay compensation for truck accidents. This is why victims need good Long Island semi truck accident lawyers on their side. The Law Office of Carl Maltese has a great track record of helping many accident victims in New York get the compensation they deserve.