Protect Yourself From Truck Accidents in Portland When Traveling Over the Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and despite ongoing concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are still making plans to travel over the long weekend. Whether you are going to spend time with out-of-town family members, using your days off for a brief vacation, or visiting some of your favorite local outdoor destinations, it is important to use caution when on the road. Thanksgiving is one of the most dangerous times of the year in terms of traffic safety and truck accidents in Portland are a major concern.

Truck Accidents Over Thanksgiving Weekend: Know the Risks

According to statistics from the American Automobile Association (AAA), more than 55 million people travel over Thanksgiving weekend, the majority by car. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Friday after are the busiest times. Expect heavier traffic conditions and more frequent tie ups, particularly on highways and interstates. You can also expect to encounter greater numbers of truckers on the road.

Big rig operators and smaller truck drivers will be in a hurry to complete deliveries before the holiday so they can be with their own families. The day after, they will be busy making sure grocery stores and retailers have the items they need to accommodate the onslaught of holiday shoppers. Be alert for potentially dangerous behaviors they may engage in as a result:

• Speeding and going too fast for conditions;
• Tailgating and failure to yield;
• Driving distracted, such as talking on cell phones or CBs;
• Drowsy driving, which can cause them to make dangerous mistakes or fall asleep behind the wheel.  

Protecting Yourself Against Truck Accidents

When heading out over the Thanksgiving weekend, be aware of truck accident risks and the ways you can protect yourself. Fleetnet America recommends the following: 

• Keep your distance. Give truck drivers plenty of space. If one is following you too closely, pull over into the opposing lane and let them pass. 
• Be aware of truck ‘no zones’. These are large blind spots before, after, and on each side of the truck, in which motorists completely disappear from the trucker’s view. 
• Avoid cutting truckers off. Truckers require more time to slow down or stop their rigs. 
• Use your signals. Use turn signals and begin braking well in advance to let truckers know your intentions. 
• Drive defensively. Be alert for heavy traffic, adverse weather, and the reckless actions of other motorists, all of which can make truck accidents more likely to happen. 

If a truck accident does occur, notify law enforcement, get the name of the trucker and the company they work for, and seek medical attention for your injuries. Before making any statements to insurers involved, contact our Portland truck accident attorneys first. 

Contact Us Today for Help

Truck drivers and companies they work for have teams of attorneys on their side ready to defend them against claims. Get Johnston Law Firm P.C. on yours. To request a consultation, Call (503) 546-3167 or contact our Portland truck accident attorneys online today.