Blind Spot Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents are some of the most damaging and deadly on the road. A commercial truck is large and heavy, so the impact it creates in an accident can be catastrophic. With careful driving practices, most truck accidents are avoidable, particularly those that are considered blind spot truck accidents.
Blind spot truck accidents are those that occur when a vehicle is traveling in a truck’s “no-zone,” or their blind spot. The truck accident lawyers at Reed & Terry, LLP, serving Sugar Land, TX, Katy, TX, and Richmond, TX, can determine liability in blind spot truck accident cases so that victims can pursue financial compensation for resulting losses.
How Common Are Blind Spot Truck Accidents?
There are many potential causes of truck accidents. Many are directly linked to driver error or simple lack of attention. According to a Large Truck Crash Causation Study reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 14 percent of large truck crashes are the result of a commercial motor vehicle driver’s inadequate surveillance, which is essentially neglect to carefully check surroundings.
Unfortunately, even if a commercial truck driver is careful about checking mirrors for surrounding traffic before making a turn or changing lanes, that driver may not always see other vehicles on the road. A commercial truck has several blind spots, which are referred to as no-zones. It is far more likely for a truck accident to take place when another vehicle is traveling in a no-zone. Based on the findings of the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, approximately one-third of all accidents between large trucks and passenger vehicles take place in a no-zone.
Recognizing a Truck’s Blind Spots
All vehicles have blind spots, but those on a commercial truck are much larger than those on passenger vehicles. The extended length of commercial truck trailers, along with the extra height of a commercial truck, creates significant areas of space that allow a car to essentially disappear from a truck driver’s view. It is important for drivers of both commercial trucks and passenger vehicles to recognize the locations of a truck’s blind spots.
- The area immediately in front of the truck’s cab (extending approximately 20 feet)
- The area below a truck driver’s window, and right behind the window
- The side of a truck’s cab (this blind spot extends out diagonally)
- The area immediately behind the truck trailer (extending approximately 30 feet)
Tips for Avoiding a Blind Spot Accident
Knowing the no-zones of a commercial truck are one way for our clients to minimize the risk of a blind spot truck accident, but there are other driving practices that can be helpful as well, for both commercial truck and passenger vehicle drivers.
- Avoid traveling in known blind spots
- Refrain from tailgating a commercial truck
- Practice defensive driving
- Check mirrors often, so you are always aware of surrounding traffic conditions
- Look over your shoulders to check blind spots
- Always use caution when turning or changing lanes
Compensation for Accident Damages
If a blind spot truck accident does occur, our attorneys can help hold liable parties accountable for accident damages. Victims of truck accidents may be compensated for financial losses, such as medical expenses, the cost of ongoing therapy and rehabilitation, lost wages, and any loss of income potential. Additionally, accident victims can seek compensation for non-financial damages, such as pain and suffering.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, the attorneys at Reed & Terry, LLP can fight to get you the financial compensation you are due. To learn more about your legal options, call (281) 201-0988 and schedule a free case review at your earliest convenience.
