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Smart & Safe: How to Drive Safely Around Large Trucks
If you've ever felt nervous driving next to an 18-wheeler, you're not alone. Their sheer size, noise, and limited visibility can make anyone uneasy. While truck drivers are trained professionals, accidents still happen—and when they involve large commercial trucks, the outcomes can be far more serious than your average fender-bender.
The good news? There are several things you can do to stay safer on the road and minimize your risk when driving near big rigs. Here are a few practical, potentially life-saving tips to help you navigate safely around large trucks.
Why Safe Driving Around Trucks Matters
Large trucks don’t behave like regular passenger cars. They’re longer, taller, heavier—and that changes everything from how they stop to how they turn. Even when you're doing everything right, you're still vulnerable if a truck driver is tired, distracted, or unable to see you.
And while you can’t control every variable on the road, you can take steps to reduce your risk. Here are four smart habits to adopt behind the wheel.
1. Avoid the “No-Zones” (AKA Blind Spots)
Trucks have massive blind spots that are often referred to as “No-Zones.” These areas are along both sides, directly behind, and right in front of the truck. If you’re driving in these spots, the truck driver likely doesn’t know you're there.
A simple tip: If you can’t see the driver’s face in their side mirror, they can’t see you either. Be especially cautious when merging, passing, or driving next to a truck. If you need to pass through a blind spot, do it quickly and safely.
2. Give Trucks Plenty of Room—Especially From Behind
Tailgating a truck isn’t just frustrating for the driver—it’s dangerous for you. Trucks sit high off the ground, and in a rear-end crash, your car could slide underneath the trailer. These “underride” accidents often lead to devastating injuries or worse.
Leave extra space between your vehicle and the truck in front of you. Not only does this reduce your risk of a collision, but it also gives you a better view of what’s happening ahead on the road.
3. Pass Safely—and Always on the Left
When it's safe to pass, do it on the left side. The right side of a truck has a much larger blind spot, and passing there increases the risk that the driver won’t see you.
Before passing, signal early, accelerate smoothly, and don’t linger beside the truck longer than necessary. Once you're safely ahead, wait until you can see the entire front of the truck in your rearview mirror before moving back into their lane.
4. Don’t Cut Them Off—They Can’t Stop Like You Can
It might seem like there’s plenty of room, but trucks need far more distance than a car to come to a full stop—especially when they’re carrying a heavy load. If you cut in front of a truck too closely, the driver may not have enough time to brake.
When merging in front of a truck, give them extra space. A good rule of thumb is to wait until you can clearly see the entire truck in your rearview mirror before getting in front of it.
So Why Are Trucks So Much More Dangerous Than Cars?
There are a few key reasons large trucks pose a higher risk on the road:
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Blind Spots: Truck drivers have limited visibility around all sides of their vehicles, especially along the right-hand side.
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Longer Stopping Distance: It takes a fully loaded truck significantly longer to come to a complete stop.
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Wide Turns: Trucks often need to swing wide to make turns—sometimes using more than one lane.
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Driver Fatigue: Long hours and tight schedules mean many truckers drive while tired, which can severely impair reaction times and decision-making.
Because of all this, it’s even more important for drivers in smaller vehicles to be alert, patient, and aware of their surroundings when sharing the road with large trucks.
What to Do If You’re Hurt in a Truck Accident
Even the most cautious drivers can’t control every outcome. If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a commercial truck, you know just how devastating it can be—physically, emotionally, and financially.
At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we’re here to support you through this difficult time. Our experienced truck accident attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and fight for the compensation you need to move forward—from medical expenses to lost income and beyond.
We know how complex truck accident cases can be. They often involve multiple parties—drivers, trucking companies, insurers—and determining fault isn’t always simple. That’s where we come in.
Let’s Talk. The Consultation Is Free.
If you’ve been in a truck accident, don’t wait. Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you figure out the best path forward.
You’ve been through enough. Let us take it from here.
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