Safe Motorcycling Near Tractor Trailers and Semi Trucks

For Michigan motorcyclists, large trucks and tractor-trailers may be the most dangerous vehicles on the highways.

At some time, almost every motorcyclist has felt the risk of riding near a giant truck. Perhaps this happened to you:

• A huge truck suddenly tried to pull in front of your motorcycle with just inches to spare.
• A giant semi truck started tailgating your motorcycle.
• A tractor-trailer was in the next lane, but you were not sure the driver could see your motorcycle in the truck mirror.

It is wise to be concerned -- and use extra care in these situations.

Know the Risk of Michigan Motorcycle Accidents Involving Large Trucks

Michigan laws allow extremely large trucks and tractor-trailers to travel on major highways. The current Michigan legal standards for semi trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large trucks include:

• A loaded tractor-trailer can be up to 8 ½ feet wide -- 50% wider that a passenger car.
• The overall length of a truck hauling a trailer can be up to 65 feet on designated truck routes.
• The length of a tractor-trailer transporting logs can be up to 70 feet, or more than 4 times the length of an average automobile.
• There is no overall limit on the length of a semi truck, if it is pulling one trailer no longer than 50 feet or two trailers no longer than 28 ½ feet each.

The enormous size and weight of a tractor-trailer or semi truck make it a dangerous vehicle, even if a skilled and careful truck driver is at the wheel. The normal maximum load for a truck with a single trailer can be as much as 120,000 pounds. The maximum weight of a tractor truck with two loaded trailers can be as much as 160,000 pounds, about the same weight as 50 passenger cars.

Safety Guidelines for Michigan Motorcyclists Sharing the Road with Large Trucks

If you are on the highway near a tractor trailer or semi truck, you can reduce the risk of a serious accident by using extra care. Here are some of the ways you can protect yourself:

• Stay out of truck blind spots. Although every truck has side mirrors, the driver still has “blind spots” or areas on both sides of the truck where he or she cannot see motorcycles in nearby traffic lanes.
• If your motorcycle is next to a large truck, either go past or back off.
• If you are passing, try to drive your motorcycle on the left side of a large truck, where the blind spot is smaller.
• Never follow a large truck too closely. Keep 20 to 25 car lengths between the front of your motorcycle and the back of a large truck. This extra distance will allow you to see in front of the truck. In case there is congested traffic or an accident up ahead, you will see it in time to stop or safely steer your motorcycle away from the danger.
• Use extra caution when passing a tractor trailer or semi truck. After you pass a large truck, do not pull your motorcycle back into its traffic lane until you can see its headlights in your rear view mirror. Leaving the extra distance gives a truck driver the time to slow down or stop if something is happening on the highway ahead.
• Always remember that a loaded tractor-trailer or semi truck needs as much as 100 yards -- the length of a football field -- to come to a complete stop. No matter how crowded the highway, make sure to maintain this safe distance.
• If the truck driver keeps following your motorcycle too closely, do not take a chance. Move your motorcycle into another traffic lane.

Get Legal Help If You Are In a Michigan Motorcycle Accident with a Large Truck

No matter how careful you are, sometimes you cannot avoid getting into a motorcycle crash. Then you need to act to protect your legal rights.

If you or a family member was injured in a Michigan motorcycle accident, consult an experienced Michigan motorcycle accident attorney, before you talk with the insurance company of the person at fault. If you sign the wrong papers, you may give up all your legal claims for payment of medical bills and lost income, as well as compensation for pain and suffering from the Michigan motorcycle crash.

After Michigan motorcycle accidents, injured victims and their families tend to focus on their physical, emotional, or financial challenges. Nevertheless, the time that Michigan law allows an individual to act to preserve legal rights starts to run from the day of the Michigan motorcycle accident.

Therefore, talk with an experienced Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer immediately. Please click here to make out a simple, free, and confidential consultation form about your Michigan motorcycle accident claim now.

Protect your rights. Get the Bernstein Advantage today.