Blind-Spot Truck Accidents

Stretching as far as 80 feet and taking up much more space in traffic lanes than any commuter car, commercial trucks and tractor-trailers are unquestionably some of the biggest street-legal vehicles you will ever see on American roads. Unfortunately, the massive size of these vehicles also means that they have massive blind spots where their drivers cannot easily see other vehicles around them, even with the help of mirrors, collisions detection systems, and other modern safety features.

Blind spot truck accidents on interstate highways can have uniquely debilitating and devastating consequences due to the high speeds at which all vehicles travel on those roadways. If you got hurt in an incident like this, a truck accident lawyer with nationwide experience handling similar claims could determine whether we could represent you in yours.

The Location and Size of Blind Spots on Tractor-Trailers

Every motor vehicle has blind spots on its sides and directly beyond the front and rear bumpers, and tractor-trailers are no exception. Because these vehicles are much longer, wider, and taller than just about every other car on the road, their blind spots are, accordingly, much larger as well.

First and foremost, truck drivers cannot see anything directly in front of their cab for up to 20 feet past the bumper, which leaves plenty of space for a regular-sized car to be completely invisible even to a trucker who is paying attention to their surroundings. Likewise, there is a blind spot stretching from the back of the average truck’s trailer to about 30 feet behind it.

On the left side of a tractor-trailer, the driver’s blind spot starts just behind the driver door and may stretch several feet down the left side of the trailer. Finally, the biggest blind spot of all is on the right side of a semi-truck, where the driver cannot see anything in a diagonal space starting below the passenger-side door and extending as far as two full traffic lanes out to the right side of the trailer.

Who Can be Held Liable for an Interstate Blind Spot Truck Wreck?

Given how massive the blind spots are on the average commercial truck, it might seem reasonable to assume that truck drivers are always considered at fault for all blind spot truck accidents nationwide. In practice, however, it is not uncommon for drivers hit by truckers in this kind of situation to be found partially or even primarily at fault for their own injuries.

Just as truck drivers have a responsibility to be aware of their blind spots and always check their mirrors and other safety systems before turning, merging, or switching lanes, every other driver has a responsibility to stay out of the blind spots of other vehicles whenever possible to minimize the risk of a collision. If someone is hit by a truck because they drove inside a truck’s blind spot for several miles, a court might consider them more at fault for the incident than the truck driver who struck them, which could seriously hinder or completely prevent financial recovery for that injured party.

Ask a Seasoned Attorney about Interstate Blind Spot Truck Accidents

Getting caught in a truck’s blind spot can have life-altering consequences for you and everyone in your vehicle, especially on interstate roadways where everyone is traveling at highway speeds. Fortunately, you may have grounds to pursue financial compensation from the trucker who hit you or their employer if you can prove them responsible for the accident that led to your injuries.

Interstate blind spot truck accidents can be much easier to handle with support from an attorney who has previously handled similar cases nationwide. Learn more about whether we could help you by calling our firm today.