Day: March 14, 2023

Blind spots are the areas surrounding a vehicle that are not visible to the driver, even when using their side and rear-view mirrors. Because of their size, commercial tractor trailers have several blind spots. Smaller passengers vehicles traveling in these blind spots are essentially invisible to truck drivers, this can lead to truck accidents.

For that reason, professional truck drivers receive specialized training on checking mirrors frequently and accounting for vehicles traveling nearby. Drivers who are fatigued, inattentive, or distracted can easily miss vehicles that enter their blind zones—often with devastating consequences to the occupants of those vehicles. If you or someone you love were affected by a truck driver’s negligence on the road, reach out to a truck accident lawyer today.

Where Are Truck Blind Spots?

Most of the nation’s freight is transported on semi-trucks. A standard semi-truck is approximately 8 and a half feet wide, 13 and a half feet tall, and up to 70 feet long. These sizable vehicles have four major blind spots:

• Front: Truck drivers sit at a height of several feet above the road, creating a blind spot that extends anywhere between 15 to 25 feet out from the front bumper. Vehicles traveling directly in front of the truck in this zone are not visible to the driver.
• Rear: The blind spot behind a commercial truck is larger, reaching up to 30 feet behind the back bumper. Vehicles should never follow trucks too closely because they are not visible to the truck driver—and because they cannot see the road ahead. If the truck stops suddenly for any reason, the driver behind them will not have much time or distance to react.
• Left Side: The blind spot on the left side of the truck spans from the driver’s door back to the middle section of the trailer. Other drivers should never linger in this space and should pass quickly on the left to surpass this “no zone” as rapidly as possible.
• Right Side: The right-side blind spot on the truck is larger than the left, running from the front of the cab all the way to the rear. For this reason, drivers should never attempt to pass trucks on the right. They should stay alert for trucks making wide right turns in front of them. Truck drivers may not see smaller vehicles trying to squeeze by before they make their turn.

Who Is Liable for Blind Spot Accidents with Trucks?

Even if the passenger vehicle is located in a truck’s blind spot when a crash occurs, they are not necessarily responsible for the accident. Every driver has a duty to operate their vehicle in a safe manner.

For truck drivers, that means utilizing their training and education to identify vehicles before they enter blind spots, make safe lane changes, slow down into turns, and maintain the speed limit.

Failure to take any of these safety precautions may constitute negligence. Individuals who are directly injured due to another party’s negligence may be eligible for financial compensation.

But drivers are not the only parties that may be liable for traffic crashes. Accidents involving commercial trucks are more complex than the average auto accident because so many parties are involved, including the mechanic, the parts’ manufacturer, and the driver’s employer.

After any type of motor vehicle accident involving a commercial truck, it is wise to contact a lawyer to discuss the case and take the next steps to pursue compensation for injuries, medical bills, property damage, and other losses.

Savannah Truck Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Provide 5-Star Legal Counsel for Clients Across Georgia

Our skilled Savannah truck accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law have experience with claims against trucking firms, drivers, and insurance companies. We are determined to reach a good outcome for clients injured by careless drivers. Call us at 912-754-6003 or inquire online to schedule a consultation. From our office in Springfield, we assist clients in and around Springfield, Savannah, Effingham County, Georgia, and the surrounding areas.