If you are driving a passenger vehicle and become involved in an accident with a large truck, the outcome can be catastrophic.

There are ways you can help avoid a truck accident . Here are a few:

Avoid driving in the truck's blind spots:When you are sharing the road with a large truck, either pass the truck quickly or trail behind. Lingering alongside a truck can cause you to remain in the driver's blind spot, where the truck may not see you. Also try to pass the truck on the left, where the blind spot is smaller. Many trucks also have blind spots directly in front of them, which makes it especially difficult if your vehicle sits lower to the ground.

Exercise additional caution in inclement weather and at night:When visibility is poor, all drivers should exercise extreme caution to avoid an accident. Make sure your lights are working and are turned on, and make sure you can see clearly out of your windows.

Do not follow too close behind a large truck: Leave sufficient distance in front of you if you are following a tractor trailer. This will ensure that you remain visible in the trucker's side view mirrors.

Use caution on entrance ramps:A tractor trailer is unable to stop and slow down quickly. Because of this, be sure to exercise caution and allow plenty of space when entering a highway in front of a large truck.

Routine maintenance:Make sure that you keep up-to-date with all routine maintenance. This will enable you to swerve effectively and stop quickly if you need to. A vehicle that is in good working condition will also give you confidence while driving, if you know that your brakes and tires will not fail.

Report dangerous truck driver behavior:If you see a commercial truck driver who is driving unsafely, aggressively or erratically, record the truck's registration number if you can safely do so. You can later make a phone call, revealing the time, date, place and behavior, which may prevent a future collision.

Reasons for Truck vs. Passenger Vehicle Crashes

There are many different ways that an automobile accident can occur between a passenger vehicle and a large tractor trailer.

Driver fatigue by either party can lead to decreased alertness and a delayed reaction time, which can cause an accident. A large truck that is overloaded can make the 18-wheeler too heavy and difficult to stop and maneuver. This increases the likelihood of a read-end collision. Defective roadways are a leading cause of accidents involving any type of vehicle. Some of these include:

• Dangerous potholes and drop-offs
• Inadequate guardrails or lack of guardrails
• Trees or vegetation blocking views or signs
• Inadequate road lighting
• Improper signage or lack of appropriate signs
• Road construction hazards
• Bridge defects and bridge collapse
• Dangerous intersections
• Failure to maintain roads or highways

Brake failure is more likely to occur among 18-wheelers, because they can overheat during a downgrade or from stopping suddenly at high speeds. However, brakes can fail in any vehicle, so be sure to keep up with your routine maintenance.

Complex Accidents

When a large truck and a passenger vehicle collide, it can result in serious injuries , even wrongful death. These types of crashes are also more complex than other vehicle accidents as they involve trucking rules and regulations and often call for a more thorough investigation. Be sure to talk to an attorney who is experienced in handling these types of accidents.