Were you injured when a semi-truck changed lanes and collided with you? Did a large truck hit your relative?s car? If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident caused by a blind spot, talk with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible regarding the truck accident. With current trucking technology and equipment, even still it is difficult to get rid of blind spots. But blind spots have always existed, and it is a truck driver?s responsibility to be mindful of them.
Trucking blind spot accidents are often the truck driver?s fault. When you are injured in an accident or lose a loved one, Lugar Injury Law can help you hold the truck driver or their employer responsible through an insurance claim or lawsuit. We are here to fight for you to receive full and fair compensation for your truck accident injuries.
To talk with us about how blind spots cause truck accidents, submit your information through our online form or call (540) 384-0348. Initial consultations are free.
Do Truck Drivers Have Blind Spots?
Yes, truckers who drive semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles have significant blind spots in front of, behind, and to the sides of the vehicle.
A semi-truck?s blind spots are:
- Approximately 20 ft in front of the semi. A vehicle that is directly in front of a semi-truck within this 20-foot zone is not visible to the truck driver.
- Approximately 30 ft behind the semi?s trailer. Any vehicle closer than 30 ft from the back of the trailer is not visible to the trucker.
- From the driver?s door toward the back of the truck in the lane left of the truck. Any vehicle that is in the left lane next to the truck but behind the driver?s door is not visible.
- From the right side of the semi cab across the two lanes to the right of the truck. Any vehicle driving to the right of the truck, one or two lanes over, may not be visible.
These areas around the truck are also known as the No Zone. Truck drivers cannot see any vehicles that are in these zones, increasing the risk of a collision.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers a graphic and additional explanation of truck blind spots.
Common Blind Spot Truck Accidents
Blind spots, in combination with truck driver?s carelessness, are a common cause of truck accidents. At Lugar Injury Law, we can handle all types of trucking blind spot accidents, including:
- Lane change and merging truck accidents: Truckers who do not keep track of nearby traffic and check their blind spots may try to change lanes into another vehicle. This can lead to sideswipe accidents.
- Runoff the road truck accidents: Trucks that merge into a lane where one or more vehicles are present may force those vehicles off the road.
- Head-on collisions: Trucks that merge left into other cars may send those vehicles into lanes of oncoming traffic and cause head-on accidents.
- Override/Underride truck accidents: A truck driver who cannot see a vehicle may run over a small car. This is known as an override accident. Depending on the circumstances of the collision, a smaller car may slide under the trailer, which is known as an underride accident.
Why Trucking Blind Spot Accidents Happen
At Lugar Injury Law, we have found that blind spot truck accidents often happen because:
- A truck driver lacks the appropriate training and qualifications.
- The truck lacks the appropriate mirrors.
- The truck driver failed to properly align the mirrors to reduce the size of blind spots.
- The truck driver failed to keep a lookout for traffic.
- The truck driver failed to check the blind spots before maneuvering the truck.
- The truck driver was distracted.
- The truck driver was fatigued.
- The truck driver was impaired due to alcohol, drugs, or a combination.
- The truck driver or trucking company failed to install accident avoidance technology.
Liability for Blind Spot Accidents
Theoretically, drivers can avoid being in truck?s blind spots. That is easier said than done. Many drivers are unaware of how large truck?s No Zones are or how to tell if they are in one of these zones. Also, in heavy traffic, it can be impossible to stay out of a truck?s blind spots. Drivers have to use all the available space. Ultimately, it is up to truck drivers to avoid trucking blind spot accidents.
Truck drivers are responsible for keeping a lookout for traffic. They should have a good idea of how many cars are on the road with them and when a car may slip into a blind spot.
Truckers are responsible for checking their blind spots before merging, changing lanes, or turning. It is up to them to use their mirrors or more advanced video and sensor technology to be confident a vehicle is not in their path.
When you are injured in a blind spot truck accident, the truck driver may be liable. By working with an experienced attorney at Lugar Injury Law, you have someone to investigate the truck accident thoroughly. We will gather and analyze all the evidence available to identify what happened and why.
We also may file a claim against the trucking company if the trucker was an employee. Businesses are typically liable for their on-duty employees? actions. Trucking companies are no exception.
It also is possible for another party to be responsible for the accident. For example, if the truck?s accident avoidance system failed due to a design or manufacturing defect, the truck manufacturer or distributor may be to blame. Or, if the avoidance system malfunctioned due to improper maintenance, a third-party maintenance vendor may be liable.
Let a Truck Accident Lawyer Help You After a Crash
When you call Lugar Injury Law after a truck accident, you benefit from an in-depth and independent investigation. This investigation will uncover whether you were injured in a trucking blind spot accident and who is responsible. With this information at hand, we will demand you receive full and fair compensation through the insurance claim process or a lawsuit.
Call us at (540) 384-0348 or use our online form to schedule a free initial consultation.