So... 9000 miles and... hit by a FedEx semi

[Hoagus]

Back to the original point: the OP may or may not be at fault--either legally or by simply not being proactive/attentive/defensive. But the details aren't there, so I figured that people shouldn't jump to conclusions and blame him for an accident with a merging vehicle. Many variables to consider, and we don't have access to many of them.

Not to disparage OP (after all, he’s one of us), but theoretically speaking, if there’s a merge zone coming up, and there’s a semi partially ahead of you, what should you do? Pass, yield or take him on? Or some other option.

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[jsus]

Not to disparage OP (after all, he’s one of us), but theoretically speaking, if there’s a merge zone coming up, and there’s a semi partially ahead of you, what should you do? Pass, yield or take him on? Or some other option.

See, now you're just being reasonable and looking out for yourself... We can't have that.

 

[Maverickman74]

Not to disparage OP (after all, he’s one of us), but theoretically speaking, if there’s a merge zone coming up, and there’s a semi partially ahead of you, what should you do? Pass, yield or take him on? Or some other option.

Other option is floor it before the truck even had a chance to enter OPs lane. Then he would be the aggressor and it would be the trucker complaining to his people.

 

[Snax]

Not to disparage OP (after all, he’s one of us), but theoretically speaking, if there’s a merge zone coming up, and there’s a semi partially ahead of you, what should you do? Pass, yield or take him on? Or some other option.

A lot depends on the circumstances. How much of the merge lane is remaining? How fast is the truck travelling? How fast am I travelling? How fast is everyone else traveling? Is the truck signaling? How much traffic is there? Is someone tailgating me? Is someone tailgating the truck? Is there room for me to shift lanes? Is the truck accelerating or decelerating? Is overall traffic accelerating or decelerating? Is the sun low enough in the sky to obstruct vision? These, and many more, are the things that most attentive drivers consider--often subconsciously.

As I said, the OP provided too little information for us to determine what happened, whether he could have avoided it, and who's at fault. Personally, I try to drive defensively, and not to depend too much on everyone following the rules. But sometimes it's just not possible to avoid a driver who makes a bad decision. Anyone who thinks that they could have avoided the OP's situation, without full knowledge of what happened, is probably burning some karma points.

 

[19mustang65]

He better lose all driving rights for the next five years, pay a hefty fine, have six months of community service, attend mandatory driving classes, never be able to drive anything that requires a Cdl, and worst of all be required to pay New Jersey level insurance rates for the rest of his life.

They don't even do that for DUI offenders

 

[jsus]

A lot depends on the circumstances. How much of the merge lane is remaining? How fast is the truck travelling? How fast am I travelling? How fast is everyone else traveling? Is the truck signaling? How much traffic is there? Is someone tailgating me? Is someone tailgating the truck? Is there room for me to shift lanes? Is the truck accelerating or decelerating? Is overall traffic accelerating or decelerating? Is the sun low enough in the sky to obstruct vision? These, and many more, are the things that most attentive drivers consider--often subconsciously.

What you describe is putting yourself in an incredibly precarious position, and then being shocked, shocked I tell you!, like OP that your vehicle ends up totaled, and you/your passengers are potentially injured or worse.

When you box yourself in as you describe, you're begging for something to go wrong.

Not being defensive in the slightest.

And then continuing to sit next to a semi when you (presumably) know its lane ends. Where do you expect it to go? Physics don't care if you're there or not. If the driver decides to come over (whether they see you or not), your Maverick will not stop an 80,000 lb semi.

 

[Bob The Builder]

That color is horrible. It's blends into the road and with you riding in the blind spot he probably never saw you.

Of course he most likely never saw him, but I doubt seriously it was the colour of the Maverick that was at fault, really. It was, most likely, a lack of gray matter between the truck driver's ears that is responsible. for the accident. A merging vehicle needs to do just that, merge and yield. No excuses.

 

[jsus]

Of course he most likely never saw him, but I doubt seriously it was the colour of the Maverick that was at fault, really. It was, most likely, a lack of gray matter between the truck driver's ears that is responsible. for the accident. A merging vehicle needs to do just that, merge and yield. No excuses.

It's a sad attempt at trolling.

All Mavericks have DRLs (daytime running lights). Meaning there are always white lights lit on the front of the vehicle. Lights that shine brightly in the side mirrors of the semi driver, who either missed or ignored them. Not as bright as headlights but bright enough to ensure the vehicle is visible during the day.

Doesn't matter what the paint color is. If white lights shining at you don't get your attention, you're not looking.

 

[Bob The Builder]

It's a sad attempt at trolling.

All Mavericks have DRLs (daytime running lights). Meaning there are always white lights lit on the front of the vehicle. Lights that shine brightly in the side mirrors of the semi driver, who either missed or ignored them. Not as bright as headlights but bright enough to ensure the vehicle is visible during the day.

Ahh, yes, trolling. No problem. Thank you for your reply. For a minute there I figgered I better change my plan for August 2 and order a CyberOrange Mav.

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