In late June, a tractor trailer wreck left one person hospitalized and Interstate 79’s median covered in Mountain Dew. According to WBOY-TV, the incident happened near Lost Creek in Harrison County and resulted in an accident that left a tractor trailer flipped on its side. Reportedly, this was the 10th crash to happen in that section of I-79 recently. It may be a signal that change is needed. That part of the highway may not be safe for tractor trailer trucks to travel along. At least, not while sharing the roadway with passenger vehicles.
Maybe if trucks had their own lanes, lanes designed to handle their size and safety requirements, accidents like the one described above would happen less often.
How Do Truck-Only Lanes Work?
While they’re not widespread, truck-only lanes do exist. In states, such as California, dedicated truck-only lanes have been added to several highways. In some cases, there is a barrier separating the truck-only lanes from regular lanes of traffic. However, in many instances, there is no barrier between regular lanes of traffic and truck-only lanes. Either way, tractor trailer trucks are usually required to use truck-only lanes when they’re available and can face fines if they don’t. Passenger vehicles aren’t prohibited from using truck-only lanes in most instances, but they are encouraged to stay out of truck-only lanes for safety reasons.
With trucks in their own separate area, passenger vehicles don’t have to worry about issues like getting caught in a tractor trailer truck’s blind spots. When a passenger vehicle is passing a truck and enters the truck’s blind spots, it can lead to a devastating accident if the truck changes lanes and collides with the passenger vehicle.
In addition, truck-only lanes mean truckers don’t have to worry about avoiding smaller vehicles as they maneuver through traffic. It’s easier for truck drivers to see other tractor trailer trucks, because they’re so large that they’re less likely to get caught in a truck’s blind spots. In addition, because truckers know what it’s like driving a large truck, they are better equipped to safely share the road with other truck drivers and their tractor trailer trucks.
One downside of truck-only lanes is that there could be confusion and accidents as trucks enter and exit the truck-only lanes, because they’ll either be leaving or joining regular lanes of traffic. That transition could be difficult and awkward for both drivers of passenger vehicles and truckers, which could result in truck crashes on occasion.
Speak with Our Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys About Your Situation for Free
If you were injured in a truck accident because of someone else’s negligence, you should be able to bring those responsible to justice. However, truckers, trucking companies, and their insurance providers are too powerful for you to take on by yourself. You need an experienced truck accident lawyer in your corner, providing you with the insight you need to hold those at fault for your accident and injuries accountable for your pain and suffering.
For nearly a century, Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner, PLLC has been helping injury victims and their families make sure that those whose negligence led to their harm face legal consequences for their actions. Our experienced truck accident attorneys have a history of securing favorable case results for clients, including recovering compensation for hospital bills, loss of income, future medical costs, and living expenses.
To learn more about Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner, PLLC, and how we can help you, check out our clients’ reviews.
Call us at (304) 713-2014 or get in touch with us online today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced truck accident lawyers.
