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The Importance of Keeping a Safe Following Distance – Insights from a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer

November 24, 2015

Even the safest and most experienced truck drivers can make mistakes behind the wheel. With long work hours and thousands of miles to travel, commercial vehicle drivers are prone to accidents. While there are countless causes of CMV crashes, one of the most common is failing to maintain a safe following distance.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board , a driver is following too closely if he or she cannot avoid a collision when the car in front stops suddenly, even if the driver in question is fully attentive. If you are in an accident with a vehicle that was following too closely or was otherwise behaving negligently, then the Churdar Law Firm may be able to help.

As a Greenville car accident lawyer, Doug Churdar can evaluate your case and guide you through the claims process. You may be entitled to compensation to pay for health-care expenses, lost income and other damages. Call us today at 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation.

Until then, read on to learn why it is so important that truck drivers maintain a safe following distance:

Large Trucks Need Space to Stop

Truck drivers who follow vehicles too closely risk causing a rear-end accident. This is especially true for inexperienced CMV drivers. Unfortunately, due to the size and weight of these vehicles, even a small collision can result in serious injuries or worse

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration , if you are driving below 40 miles per hour, then you should leave at least one second for every 10 feet of car length. This means that if you are driving a standard tractor-trailer, you should have at least four seconds between you and the vehicle in front. If you are travelling faster than 40 miles per hour, then you should leave one additional second for every 10 feet.

Increase Your Following Distance in Adverse Weather

If the conditions on the road deteriorate, then you should double your following distance. Poor conditions are not only due to inclement weather; they may also result from road quality, visibility and traffic. If you double your following distance in poor conditions, then you should have enough time to stop or take evasive action in the event of an emergency.

Several factors can impact your vehicle’s braking distance including ice, rain, snow and debris. If you notice any of these hazards on the road, then slow down and increase your following distance so you do not cause a rear-end accident.

According to the FMCSA, the average stopping distance of a large, fully loaded tractor-trailer driving at 55 miles per hour in ideal conditions is 196 feet. This is 63 feet more than the stopping distance of a regular passenger vehicle.

If you were in a truck crash with a negligent driver in South Carolina, then contact the Churdar Law Firm. A Greenville injury attorney will gather evidence, handle settlement negotiations and, if necessary, litigate your case in court. Call us today at 864-233-0203 to schedule a consultation.

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