Paul Horton: Avoiding Accidents with Tractor Trailers

Whether making your way through Utah on your way to Park City for a nice drive up Parley’s Canyon for a getaway weekend or driving anywhere on the I-15 or I-215, you’re bound to pass numerous tractor-trailers en route to your final destination. Think about it: they’re everywhere. In fact, on U.S. highways, it’s estimated that tractor-trailers number upwards of 11 million active units. As far as mileage is concerned, that’s over 288 billion logged miles each and every calendar year.

With an oblong, awkward shape, heavy cargo and poor turning radius, tractor-trailers are infamous for causing roadside accidents. In order to more fully protect yourself and other motorists, however, there are certain driving techniques which—when put into practice—make an avoidance of dangerous accidents a real possibility.

First and foremost, it’s key that blind spots be avoided at all costs. Reports from insurance companies of these dangerous auto zones, “Tractor-trailers have large blind spots called ‘no-zones,’ located at the rear of the truck, the side and the connecting point between the truck and the trailer.” Generally speaking, if you can’t see a tractor-trailer driver in his side mirrors, he or she can’t see you. This is most important when looking to pass or change lanes.

Furthermore, it’s important that trucks be given a wider berth when traveling uphill. Though always a good idea to keep a safe distance when following large vehicles, as tractor-trailers tackle inclines, they often struggle to shift gears, resulting in momentary stalls. Needless to say, as blind spots and driving distances are respected, the number of auto accidents involving tractor-trailers here in Utah will most assuredly plummet. As a injury lawyer, the most important thing you can ever do, is prevent an accident, because after one has happened, you are never really the same again. Especially after a big accident with a tractor trailer.

Pets Can Help The Elderly Live

Oftentimes, after a rewarding life filled with innumerable ups and downs, the elderly find themselves living alone. With older children having moved on and grandchildren much too far to pay any sort of regular visit, more senior citizens than ever before are taking to dog ownership as a means of happiness, companionship and youthful revitalization in West Jordan, Utah and elsewhere.

While nearly all dogs are kind, genuine, loyal and don’t require the services of a bite lawyer, some don’t have the characteristics that mesh well with the lifestyles most commonly associated with senior citizens. That being said, a handful make excellent friends.

Schnauzers, for example, are wonderful for older Americans. Not only do Schnauzers come in a variety of sizes, but they’re energetic, playful and easily trainable. Whether it’s you or a grandchild who needs more exercise, Schnauzers promise to get the job done.

Boston Terriers also make excellent dogs for seniors. Says Dana LaJoye, President of the Boston Terrier Club of America, through PBS, “Boston Terriers are bred to be companion dogs. They like nothing more than to be with their owner on the sofa watching TV or curled up next to their owner in bed.” In addition to being noticeably kind, these dogs are exceptionally easy to groom, thus making them a favorite for older dog owners.

Obviously, the aforementioned pair don’t comprise an extensive list. There are other breeds which make for excellent senior citizen pets, as well: cocker spaniels, shih tzus and beagles, just to name a few.

Whatever the case may be, in order to keep you or an older loved one safe from the rigors of dog ownership, an unfortunate bite or a meeting with an experienced lawyer in West Jordan, take the time to make certain the perfect breed is chosen.