How You Can Protect Yourself From a Truck Crash.

Fatal truck wrecks across the United States are increasing at a rate almost three times that of deadly crashes overall. Among the most dangerous and deadly are rear-end truck crashes. While big trucks collide with cars in a variety of ways, experts say these types of wrecks are among the most devastating and yet perhaps the easiest to prevent with technology. Unfortunately, semi-trucks across the country are not equipped with the latest, and best, crash prevention technology.

More than 4,300 people were killed in collisions with semis and other large trucks in 2016, a 28 percent increase over 2009, according to the federal government. The numbers are equal to a 737 airplane crashing twice a month, killing all on board. In Illinois, there was a 26% increase in fatal crashes involving large trucks, like semi-trucks, in 2016. So far, in 2019, approximately 15% of all fatal crashes involved a semi or other large truck.

One of the major reasons why deadly truck crashes continue to increase is the lack of crash avoidance technology being using in trucks. While crash avoidance systems are becoming common in new cars, they are rare, if ever, used in big trucks.  The auto industry promises that, by 2022, this safety equipment will be standard on all new passenger vehicles sold in the United States. Makers of heavy trucks, on the other hand, have made no such commitment. As a result, only a small percentage of semis on the road today have collision avoidance technology.

The NHTSA, however, has largely ignored repeated pleas from the National Transportation Safety Board to take action that would prevent trucks from rear-ending other vehicles. On at least 10 occasions since the late 1990s, the safety board recommended that NHTSA require forward crash avoidance and mitigation systems on all heavy trucks.

To protect yourself from a crash, follow these three steps

• Keep a proper distance between you and the truck. 
• Stay out of the truck’s blind spots
• Pass carefully and quickly, do not pass slowly or ride alongside the truck. 

If you’re in a crash with a large truck or semi, there are important steps you should take to make sure that you are protected.

• First, if you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Dial 911 and explain what happened. Remain in your vehicle and move it out of traffic, if possible. Wait in your car until the police arrive. Make sure that an ambulance is brought to the scene of the crash. When the ambulance arrives, get checked out and go with the EMTs to the hospital.

• Second, make sure you seek the advice of an attorney right away. The insurance companies for the semi or trucking company want to settle quickly. A lawyer can help gather vital information such as accident reports, driver’s logs, black box information and other key pieces of evidence that can protect your right to recovery for your injuries.