If you have ever driven alongside a big truck, you have probably noticed how much larger they are compared to your car. While these massive vehicles can be impressive, driving beside them can lead to some serious safety risks. Why? This is often due to blind spots.
These are the areas around the vehicle where the driver cannot see others on the road. They can often lead to truck accidents if you’re unaware of them. Let’s look at the dangers of trucker blind spots and what to do if you have been involved in an accident.
What Are Blind Spots?
These are spots around a vehicle that the driver cannot see, even with the help of mirrors. Since trucks are much larger than regular cars, they have bigger blind spots. The huge size of the vehicle hides certain areas from view. The blind spots around a truck include:
Front Blind Spot
This is the area directly in front of the truck, up to 20 feet in front of the cabin, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Due to the truck’s height and the distance between the driver and the front of the vehicle, anything right in front may be out of sight.
Side Blind Spots
Trucks have wide blind spots on both the left and right sides. The blind spots can extend from the front doors to the back of the trailer. When trucks need to turn, these spots can occupy up to one lane on the left and two on the right. These areas can easily conceal smaller cars, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Rear Blind Spot
The back of the truck is another spot that is hard for the driver to see. If you are about 30 feet or less behind the truck, the driver will not be able to see you. Vehicles that are tailgating or following too closely are almost hidden in these areas.
Wide Turn Blind Spots
Trucks also need more space to make turns. When they do, their front-end swings out into adjacent lanes. And that creates another blind spot.
Why Are Truck Blind Spots Dangerous?
When a truck driver cannot see certain areas around their vehicle, it creates serious risks for everyone on the road. Here are a few reasons why these blind spots can be so dangerous:
Increased Risk of Collisions
A collision can occur if the truck driver is unaware of you and tries to change lanes, make a turn, or merge into traffic. These accidents often happen quickly. Unfortunately, the size of a truck means that a crash can be much more serious than one involving two smaller vehicles.
Merging Accidents
If you are not careful when passing a truck on the highway, you might find yourself in a blind spot without even realizing it. Trucks need more space to change lanes. When you are too close, the driver might not see you when they move over. Merging collisions can lead to often fatal accidents as the smaller vehicle slides under the larger truck.
Wide Turn Hazards
When trucks make turns, they need extra space. If you are driving next to a truck at an intersection, the driver may not see you if you’re too close to the truck. This is dangerous when the vehicle turns left because the truck’s front end may swing into your lane.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents
Pedestrians and cyclists are likelier to be in a truck’s blind spot. Many times, the driver may not be able to see you, especially if you cross in front of or behind the vehicle.
Tailgating and Rear-End Collisions
Many drivers follow a truck too closely, especially on the highway. Unfortunately, that could be a big mistake. Those who tailgate are putting themselves in the truck’s rear blind spot. If the truck has to stop suddenly or slows down unexpectedly, you may not have enough time to react. And that can lead to a rear-end collision.
Who Is at Fault for an Accident?
A blind spot accident may be the truck driver’s fault. These drivers are trained and expected to know the size and location of their vehicle’s blind spots. They are also required to:
- Check their mirrors frequently
- Signal before changing lanes
- Make sure it is safe before merging or turning
- Remain alert and free of distractions
If a truck driver fails to do any of the above and hits a car in their blind spot, that can constitute negligence. In these cases, the truck driver and potentially their employer could be liable for the accident.
However, truck drivers are not automatically at fault because of a crash in a blind spot. Other factors may shift or share liability, such as:
- A car lingering in the blind spot for an extended period
- A driver cutting off a truck too closely in traffic
- A sudden lane change by another vehicle without warning
- Road conditions or visibility issues beyond the truck driver’s control
Blind spot accidents can be tricky to litigate, especially when there are questions about who may be liable for the accident.
Truck blind spots are a real danger on the road. Titan Law is ready to assist if you have been injured in this type of crash. We know that dealing with trucking companies and their insurers can be a hassle as you try to recover.
We can help protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation.
