Watch Out for More Big Trucks After Thanksgiving

By The Husband and Wife Law Team on December 19, 2016

The day after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days in America, as the crowds who gather at Scottsdale Fashion Square and Arizona Mills can attest. Over the past few years, however, the following Monday has become a major event for shopping online with various retailers. While the deals can be great, all of those orders need to be delivered to the homes and businesses of the people who placed them. That means there will be more big trucks out making deliveries the week after Thanksgiving. Be cautious and safe while driving and you can easily share the road with all of these vehicles.

Although driving around larger delivery vehicles can bring special concerns, some of the best ways to avoid accidents are general safety considerations. For example, make sure you always have your seatbelt buckled and obey all speed limits and traffic signs as you are driving. Many accidents are caused by a driver becoming distracted by something inside or outside of the vehicle. These distractions include texting and other mobile phone use, adjusting music or other controls, and simply letting one’s mind wander instead of focusing on the road.

Large trucks bring certain important considerations with them that drivers should be aware of. For example, big trucks usually have larger blind spots, and potentially more of them, than other vehicles. While a truck driven by a UPS or FedEx delivery person might not be as cumbersome as a rig with a massive trailer, they still can have pretty big blind spots. They lack rearview mirrors and the side mirrors might not allow as much visibility as those on smaller cars.

Always make sure a delivery driver can see you before passing them; when merging in front of them, be sure to do so safely and leave them plenty of space to slow down or stop behind you as needed. Be mindful of high winds and how they can push large trucks with bigger profiles for the wind to push against. Give these vehicles extra space on freeways and if you see them swerving or tilting, make sure you slow down and keep a safe distance from them. Also be aware of frequent stops a delivery driver needs to make, though it is up to that driver to do so in a way that is safe and legal.

With so many extra trucks on the road, there is always a greater chance of a collision occurring. If you or a loved one has been in an accident with a delivery truck, call the Husband and Wife Law Team at (602) 457-6222 today. At the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. we can review your case and talk about your options before you sign any insurance paperwork or agree to anything.