There’s likely not a driver among us who hasn’t felt a twinge of impatience while navigating Mississippi’s highways when traffic is heavy, or when construction cones force vehicles to merge into fewer lanes than necessary for maximum speeds. All too frequently, driver frustration leads to menacing behaviors behind the wheel, like weaving quickly between vehicles, tailgating, and racing forward only to have to suddenly lay on the brakes. This unpredictable behavior on the road can be incredibly dangerous. Driver impatience, which often turns into a form of road rage that is characterized by recklessness, can turn an otherwise uneventful commute into a tragedy, particularly when road rage with a big rig six or seven times a typical passenger vehicle’s weight occurs. Often the raging driver escapes without a dent, while sadly, neighboring motorists and truck drivers suffer unspeakable harm. Surely, every commuter is entitled to a safe and courteous experience on Mississippi roadways. The same is true for drivers of eighteen-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles. When your safety is put at risk by the recklessness of an impatient motorist, it might be a good idea to discuss the incident with a local personal injury attorney.
Motorists can be Oblivious
According to truckers across the country, the idea of displaying courtesy toward a big rig is a thing of the past. Every single day, these big rigs are forced to deal with motorists who zigzag around them, often failing to signal their intent. When forced to merge, passenger vehicles frequently zoom to get ahead of these massive trucks, compelling truck drivers to slam on their brakes instead of peacefully taking their turn with other merging vehicles. This can lead to serious problems:
- As the big rig makes a sudden slow down or swerves to avoid a passenger vehicle, it may experience a shifting load. When the imbalance is severe enough, the rig might actually overturn;
- It may be impossible for a truck driver to control the several tons of rigging behind him or her, which could mean the rig jackknifes, rolls, or collides into neighboring vehicles or obstacles;
- The braking system may not be able to handle such sudden extreme requirements, leading to long skids that are out of control.
It’s a Whole Other Animal
The problem is, these big rigs are more than just larger, heavier vehicles. Driving them is not just a modification of typical driving. It takes significantly longer for them to slow down; drivers have much more limited vision behind and to the sides; and accidents can occur with much less provocation and can result in much more serious consequences, all because of the size and mass of the rigs. Motorists should be courteous in all driving situations, but particularly in the face of the extreme challenges of tractor-trailers, eighteen-wheelers, and other huge commercial trucks.
Contact an Attorney Today for Help
If a combination of recklessness and a big rig has led to an accident with serious injuries, you need a heavy hitter fighting for justice on your behalf. Contact the Jackson 18-wheeler accident attorneys at the office of Derek L. Hall, PC today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
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