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When you’re on the road driving, safety should be your #1 concern. However, when you’re in a hurry and you get stuck behind a semi-truck, it can sometimes be inconvenient. Despite this inconvenience, it is important to follow semi-truck safety when behind the wheel.

You might think that safety with semi-trucks is solely the responsibility of the truck driver. However, that is inaccurate. As a driver, it is your duty to practice safe driving when operating a vehicle. This includes being in control of possible road rage when near a semi on the road.

In 2018, 67% of those who died in an accident involving a semi-truck were passengers of another vehicle. This is mostly because an 18-wheeler is obviously a lot larger than the average family vehicle.

semi safety truck in mountains

How can you practice semi-truck safety?

There are many things you can do on the road to protect you and your loved ones. When it comes to pulling around semi-trucks, make sure you have plenty of space behind you before merging in front of a semi-truck. On average, it will take a semi-truck 40% longer to stop than it would a car. If weather conditions are bad, it can be up to a quarter mile.

Also ensure you are putting plenty of distance in between you and the back of a semi. If the truck suddenly stops, you may not be prepared and could rear end it. Or, the person behind you could push you into the truck. The more space between you and the semi, the better.

Following these tips can help protect you and the truck drivers as well. You can better your chances of avoiding a bad accident with a semi by simply being more aware of the distance and space between you and a semi-truck.


Gerling Law is a leading personal injury law firm dedicated to providing aggressive legal representation to individuals and their families.  With over 50 years of experience, Gerling Law has helped thousands of people in Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in a wide variety of personal injury and consumer protection cases, including trucking accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence and social security disability. Gerling Law takes pride in the fact that we have never represented insurance companies, hospitals or large corporations and that we fight against powerful companies for our clients.

If you need an experienced, dedicated personal injury lawyer, Gerling Law is here to help.  You can always reach us at 888-GERLING (888-437-5464) or through our website at https://www.gerlinglaw.com/

Author Photo

Gayle Gerling Pettinga

Born and raised in Evansville, Gayle is a respected, experienced lawyer and a valued community leader. She graduated near the top of her class at Indiana University’s prestigious Maurer School of Law. She’s practiced law with one of the largest firms in Indianapolis as well as one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. And that means she knows how big law firms and big companies think and how they operate – and she will put that knowledge to work for you.

Gayle has received numerous awards and honors including Martindale-Hubbell — Peer Review Rated: AV®, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys in Indiana for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service, and YWCA Evansville 100 Years, 100 Women Honoree, 2011.

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