Understanding Truck Blind Spots
According to the IIHS, a total of 4,119 people died in truck accidents in 2019 alone. 16% of the deaths were truck drivers and occupants, 15% were motorcyclists, pedestrians, or bicyclists, and 67% were passenger vehicles occupants. Some of these accidents happen because of negligence on the part of truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties, and some happen when pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and passenger vehicle occupants fail to notice truck blind spots. Indeed, trucks often have signage warning other road users of blind spots. Unfortunately, even with signage, road users sometimes fail to be as careful as they should be. In such situations, blind spot truck accidents can occur.
Truck Blind Spots
Truck blind spots, also known as truck “no-zones,” are the areas around a truck that are not visible to the truck driver through mirrors. Usually, trucks have larger and longer blind spots than regular vehicles. When you are in the blind spot of a truck, the truck driver cannot see you in their mirrors. Being in a truck’s blind spot can be quite dangerous as a truck driver may be unaware of your presence when changing lanes, for instance.
The following are the four blind spots on large trucks:
In the Front
Large trucks, especially those without a cab-over design, have a no-zone in the front. Depending on a truck’s design, the no-zone in the front can extend as much as 20 feet. If you get close to the front of a truck, THE chances are, the truck driver will not be able to see you. If the truck driver cannot see you, they might, for example, speed up and end up hitting you, thus causing a rear-end accident.
In the Back
Depending on the truck’s size, it may be hard for truck drivers to see when people are tailgating since it extends to over hundreds of feet.
On the Left Side
Trucks also have a no-zone on the left. Usually, truck drivers can see people when they are even with their side door or the cab. If you are behind the cab, the chances are, the truck driver cannot see you.
On the Right Side
Finally, like the left side, trucks have a no-zone on the right. Usually, the blind spot on the right is quite huge. If you are on the right side of a truck, the chances are, the truck driver cannot see you and the other road users in the lanes on the right. Depending on several things, such as the size and shape of the truck, the no-zone on the right can extend across three lanes of traffic.
It is crucial that when you are sharing the road with a truck, you avoid its blind spots. For example, if you are in the same lane as a truck, it is best you stay more than 20 feet in front of it or more than 30 feet behind it. And, when possible, you should stay at least 100 feet behind a truck.
Contact a Coral Springs Truck Accident Lawyer
Trucking accidents are typically more complicated that run-of-the-mill car accidents. Trucking companies have tremendous exposure due to the size and weight of the vehicles. Trucking companies have teams of lawyers on retainer to start planning a defense within minutes of the crash. If you are involved in a crash with a truck, do NOT speak to their agents without first speaking to an experienced truck accident attorney.
If you need more information or were injured in a truck accident, contact a Coral Springs truck accident lawyer at Lyons & Snyder. If you were injured in a truck accident, you could be eligible for compensation.
Resource:
iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/large-trucks
