Top 5 Ways to Avoid a Southern California Truck Accident

California's highways are home to countless semi-trucks and tractor trailers. Transporting everything from produce to products, an 18-wheeler will inevitably be your companion when on the highway.

So what can you do to avoid a Southern California truck accident injury while driving? The California truck accident injury attorneys at Steinberg & Spencer provide tips that just may save your life.

Read on to discover the top five ways to avoid a California truck accident:

1. Watch out for drowsy truck drivers. Truck drivers put in long hours on the road, and as any driver can understand, being in a car for extended periods of time can make a person tired. A tired trucker might swerve within the lane or over to the shoulder of the highway. He or she may also slow down and then speed up frequently, which can be a sign that the trucker is falling asleep and waking up repeatedly. Frequent braking also could be a sign that the driver's drowsiness is causing a slow reaction time. Watch out for all of these signs, and call the police right away if you notice them happening.

2. Don't block yourself in a trio of trucks. Heavy cargo can shift and become detached at any time, which is why it is imperative to always leave yourself an escape route. Never "box yourself in," or put yourself in a position where you have a semi in front, behind, and on either side of you. If a truck drifts out of its lane, or the one in front of you stops suddenly, you will be trapped in between trucks that have difficulty maneuvering quickly.

3. Stay out of blind spots. Just because you can see the truck driver does not always mean that he or she can see you. If you are driving too close to the back of a truck, chances are that the driver cannot see you. Riding too closely beside the truck near the back also makes it hard for the truck driver to notice your car, which can have devastating consequences when that truck goes to change lanes.

4. Take caution when merging onto highways. It takes a lot for a semi-truck to stop. Weight is one of the reasons why it can take trucks nearly 400 feet to come to a complete stop. So if you are merging onto the expressway in front of a truck and you don't move fast enough, chances are that you will be rear-ended. Always give yourself enough time to merge properly, and wait for the truck to pass if you feel you won't have enough space.

5. Be extra careful during rainy weather. This tip also goes back to a truck driver's inability to stop quickly. Wet roads are often slick, so make sure to keep extra distance between you and semi-trucks, and never try to pass a truck too closely.

If you have suffered serious injury because of a California truck accident, you need to ensure that you are protecting your rights. Order Steinberg & Spencer's free book, Seven Biggest Mistakes That Can Ruin Your California Injury Case, by calling 800.350.8888 to learn the essential steps to take after an accident. Steinberg & Spencer's experienced Santa Monica truck accident injury lawyers can also provide you with a free case evaluation when you fill out an online form.