Three Rules of the Road for Driving Safely around Semi-Trucks in Palmdale

One thing that Palmdale residents and drivers may have noticed during the 2024 winter holiday season is that the flow of semi-trucks (also called 18-wheeler trucks and commercial trucks) on Palmdale highways and roads did not come to a stop. Indeed, truck drivers in Palmdale and throughout California and the United States continue to run their routes during the holidays to deliver goods and products from port to shelf so that Palmdale consumers can get everything they need. There is no doubt that semi-trucks are an integral part of how people get necessities and luxuries in Palmdale, and most semi-truck drivers are well-trained to drive large, unwieldy commercial trucks on the road with other, smaller cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians. However, even with training and vigilant driving, semi-truck accidents can and do happen, and they can be seriously dangerous, and even fatal.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency that regulates trucking in the United States, provides a number of safety tips for driving safely around semi-trucks. To help Palmdale drivers and residents stay safer on the road with semi-trucks, we share three of those helpful tips here.

Tips for Safer Driving Around Semi-Trucks

According to the FMCSA, semi-trucks are dangerous because “Large trucks and buses (commercial motor vehicles, or CMVs) have operating limitations such as large blind spots, long stopping distances, and limited maneuverability that make it essential for other vehicles to put extra focus on safety.” Accordingly, the FMCSA provides the following three tips to keep drivers safer:

1. Avoid being in a semi-truck’s blind spots when driving: semi-trucks have “huge” blind spots in the front, back, and side of the truck. The FMCSA cautions that “If you can’t see the driver in the truck’s side mirror, assume that the driver can’t see you.”
2. Make sure to pass semi-trucks in a safe manner: the FMCSA advises, “Make sure you can see the driver in the bus or truck side mirror before passing. Signal clearly, then move into the left lane and accelerate so that you can get past the truck or bus safely and promptly. Don’t linger in the blind spot.”
3. Don’t cut semi-trucks off: cutting-off a semi-truck is a dangerous and bad idea, according to the FMCSA. The Administration notes, “Cutting in too close in front of another vehicle is always dangerous, but it’s especially dangerous to cut off a bus or large truck. If you move in quickly from either side, you’re likely to be in a blind spot so the driver may not see you in time. Even if you’re visible, the vehicle may not be able to slow quickly enough to avoid a crash because of the amount of time it takes to stop.”

Where to Go for Legal Help if You are Involved in a Semi-Truck Accident Due to a Negligent Truck Driver

Even the most vigilant and careful drivers may end up in a truck accident, due to the negligent actions of a truck driver. In these cases, Palmdale truck accident victims may be entitled to money compensation for their injuries and losses. The experienced Palmdale truck accident lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm are here to help Palmdale truck accident victims get justice for their injuries and losses. Do not hesitate to speak to an experienced Palmdale truck driver about your case today. Contact the Trevino Law Firm and chat with a lawyer about your case now.