Truckers are on the road both day and night carrying heavy loads across the country. They are often sent to towns and cities they have never been before because most trucks are equipped with navigational systems for step-by-step directions. While this situation is an occupational hazard of sorts, there are ways to reduce anxiety and prepare for tackling new roads. There is more to handling a truck within towns and cities than directions.
Double Check Everything
Spend some time to go over the initial safety checks twice because things like tire pressure, clean mirrors, and back brake lights will make a huge difference when navigating city streets with parked cars on the side. Be sure the load is properly secured. Improper loading is one of the causes of negligence that can lead to an accident while trucking. Before leaving look in all available mirrors to ensure the best possible vantage points for sight.
Proper Sleep
Driving when tired is dangerous under the best of circumstances, so enough sleep is essential. Most companies have indicators to let drivers know when they must stop driving and when they can start again. There are no ways to determine what drivers choose to do with those in between hours. Smart and safe drivers will have a meal, call home, and get as much sleep as they can in the allotted time. Scheduling is key in trucking and drivers must adjust to the timing of hours on the road and hours off.
Follow Training and Procedures
There is no substitute for excellent training, and drivers who attend CDL schools that provide driving practice on actual streets instead of in vacant lots will have an advantage here. Review the finer points of turning, backing up, and parking. Take your time when engaging in these manoeuvres. Turn off the radio, pay attention to cars and pedestrians, and make another trip around the block if needed to position the truck to safely make a turn into the dock.
Company procedures are put in place to protect drivers as well as the company. Drivers who follow procedures correctly are reducing the risk of personal liability for accidents. Negligence is not always on the part of the truck driver. In many cases the trucking manufacturer or trucking company is negligent. Defects in the truck, violation of federal regulations regarding maintenance, and lack of training or supervision can also cause trucking accidents. The municipality may also be negligent. Truck accidents can be just as devastating to the drivers as they are to the drivers and passengers of the other vehicles involved.
Aggressive Representation
With so many possible causes of trucking accidents, it is imperative to contact aggressive litigators who have taken several cases to court. Ask about court experience because most injury cases are settled out of court. Some successful lawyers rarely see the inside of a courtroom. Find a firm with in-house investigative teams. Those investigators will know how to gather evidence and discover the alleged negligent party or parties in the case.
A plaintiff only firm is a wise decision because all the focus is on victims, their suffering, and what their current and future needs will entail. Firms representing both plaintiffs and defendants have a split mindset to be able to represent all their clients. That can be problematic in a high-profile trial case. Discuss options and strategies in the initial consultation to determine if you are comfortable with the lawyer.
Accidents are never expected, and it is not customary to prepare for that event. That is not the same as being prepared for whatever challenges may present themselves. Diligence for the sake of safety, confidence, and foresight is never a waste of time. The rewards will be a calm mind, full attention to the tasks at hand, and a smooth trip into unknown streets. Do not hesitate to check with fellow drivers to see if they have been to that town and can provide a bit of insider information.
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