Safe Driving Near Tractor Trailers and Semi Trucks

Large trucks and tractor-trailers may be some of the most dangerous kinds of vehicles on Michigan highways.

At some time, almost everyone has felt this risk while driving a car near a giant truck. Perhaps this happened to you:

A huge truck suddenly tried to pull in front of your car with just inches to spare.

A giant semi truck started tailgating your automobile.

You wondered whether the driver of the tractor-trailer in the next lane could see your passenger car in the truck mirror.

It is wise to be concerned -- and use extra care in these situations.

Know the Risks: The Size of Trucks on Michigan Roads

Michigan laws allow extremely large trucks and tractor-trailers to travel on major highways. The following are some of the current Michigan legal standards for semi trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large trucks:

A loaded tractor-trailer can be up to 8 ½ feet wide -- 50% wider that a passenger car.

The overall length of a truck hauling a trailer can be up to 65 feet on designated truck routes.

The length of a tractor-trailer transporting logs can be up to 70 feet, or more than 4 times the length of an average automobile.

There is no overall limit on the length of a semi truck, if it is pulling one trailer no longer than 50 feet or two trailers no longer than 28 ½ feet each.

The normal maximum load for a truck with a single trailer can be as much as 120,000 pounds.

The maximum weight of a tractor truck with two loaded trailers can be as much as 160,000 pounds, about the same weight as 50 passenger cars.

The enormous size and weight of a tractor-trailer or semi truck make it a dangerous vehicle, even if a skilled and careful truck driver is at the wheel.

Safety Tips for Auto Drivers Sharing the Road With Large Trucks

If you are on the highway near a tractor trailer or semi truck, you can reduce the risk of a serious accident by driving with extra care. Here are safety guidelines to help you protect yourself and your family:

Stay out of truck blind spots. Although every truck has side mirrors, the driver still has blind spots, or areas on both sides of the truck where he or she cannot see cars in nearby traffic lanes. If your car is next to a large truck, either drive on past or back off. If you are passing, try to drive your car on the left side of a large truck, where the blind spot is smaller.

Never follow a large truck too closely. Keep 20 to 25 car lengths between the front of your vehicle and the back of a large truck. This extra distance will allow you to see in front of the truck. In case there is congested traffic or an accident up ahead, you will see it in time to stop or safely steer your car away from the danger.

Use extra caution when passing a large truck. After you pass a large truck, do not pull your car back into its traffic lane until you can see its headlights in your rear view mirror. Leaving this extra distance gives the truck driver the time to slow down or stop if something is happening on the highway ahead.

Always remember that a loaded tractor-trailer or semi truck needs as much as 100 yards -- the length of a football field -- to come to a complete stop. No matter how crowded the highway, make sure to maintain this safe distance. If the truck driver ignores this margin of safety and keeps following your car too closely, do not take a chance. Move your car into another traffic lane.

Get Help If You Are In an Auto Accident with a Tractor-Trailer or Semi Truck

No matter how carefully you drive, sometimes you cannot avoid getting into a motor vehicle crash.

You need to protect your legal rights.

If you or a family member is injured in a Michigan truck accident, consult an experienced Michigan truck accident attorney, before you talk with the insurance company of the person at fault. If you sign the wrong papers, you may give up all your legal claims for payment of medical bills and lost income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering.

After motor vehicle accidents, injured victims and their families tend to focus on their physical, emotional, or financial challenges. Nevertheless, the time that Michigan law allows an adult -- or a child -- to act to preserve legal rights starts to run from the day of the truck accident.

Therefore, make the time to talk with an experienced Michigan truck accident lawyer immediately. Please submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form about your truck accident claim now.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.