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Crashes involving smaller vehicles and "18- wheelers" do not work out well for anyone.  These  commercial trucks, which are over 70 feet long and weigh up to 80,000 pounds when loaded, require three football fields in length to stop.  Big rig trucks on multi lane roads generally stay in the right lane because of their slower speed, and on some highways are required to stay out of the passing lane. The right lane, however, is where traffic entering onto the road merges with the traffic already on the road. Trucks  cannot slow down or stop for every vehicle merging into the traffic, so truck drivers need to rely on motorists' knowing what to do and how to safely share the road with them.

Just because a driver sees some space in front of a truck does not mean that space is for them to  pull in front. Truck drivers are required to keep 9 seconds of road in front.  (Smaller vehicles only require 3-5 seconds.) Before pulling in front of trucks, drivers should keep in mind the three football fields a loaded 18-wheeler needs to have in order to come to a complete and safe stop. A truck cannot just swerve into another lane, as this can cause losing control, hitting other traffic or tipping or jack knifing, which can be catastrophic. Truck accidents happen.

Even when no one is hurt, there is severe inconvenience caused when a road needs to be closed down as happened on I-75 on December 26, 2012 in the Sarasota area. 

Truck Accident Attorney Randall Spivey, Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. Ft. Myers, FL says,  “Based on my years of experience in dealing with automobile, motorcycle and truck accidents, it is important to keep in mind that although it takes time for loaded 18-wheeler truck to gain speed, once they do they are not slow.  When they travel the speed limit it takes three football fields for them to come to a full safe stop. It is important that when merging onto a road in front of a truck or passing a truck there should be at least 9 seconds in front of them. Assume every 18-wheel truck is carrying a full load. Speed up and get SAFELY in front of them, or slow down and let them pass you.  Never tailgate a truck.  Unless you can see the truck’s mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you. Trucks have big blind spots. The truck driver doesn’t know you are back there. Never stay beside a truck when passing longer than you have to as truck tire blowouts can be very dangerous .  Pass quickly; then move out of the way.  Unloaded or lightly loaded trucks can swerve into you. Never be a distracted driver; put your cell phone down, and don’t be looking anywhere but the road. Always wear seat belts and properly restrain children of all ages.”  

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has created material on how to safely share the road with trucks. Here is a link.

Southwest Florida Personal Injury Attorney Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,500 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.