According to the Visalia Times-Delta, a Visalia big rig driver was seriously injured when he rear-ended a pick-up truck near Terra Bella. Both cars overturned.

Fortunately the pick-up truck driver sustained only minor injuries.

Truck accidents often result in serious, even deadly injuries. Because of the sheer force behind a truck, minor shifts in direction or speed may result in a loss of control of an 18-wheeler. It is often difficult for a big rig to maneuver in response to other drivers’ abrupt changes in direction or unexpected conditions on the road.

In Tuesday’s accident, the driver of the pick-up truck had slowed to make a left-hand turn when the big rig ran into her.

In order to keep our roads safe, a few tips for truckers/car drivers include:

• Maintain safe driving distances between cars and trucks

• Pass trucks with car. Remember that trucks have large blind spots so make sure you can see the truck in your rear view mirror before pulling back into the lane.

• Do not text and drive. Too often distracted driving is the cause of California car accidents.

For more information, or if you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, please contact the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette, a California personal injury concerned about highway safety and accident prevention.