Sharing the road with large commercial trucks, including semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles, requires extra caution. These commercial trucks are not only longer and taller than passenger vehicles or passenger cars but also have major blind spots, often referred to as “No-Zones.” These blind spots are areas where the truck driver may not see nearby vehicles, leading to many truck accidents and even jackknife truck accidents. The jackknife accidents often involve jackknife truck crashes and jackknife collisions which cause catastrophic injury and severe injury to victims.
In South Carolina and across the U.S., thousands of truck accidents involving truck cab and truck trailer combinations happen yearly. Many of these crashes, including those caused by improper braking, brake failure, or mechanical failure, could be avoided if passenger vehicles understood where truck blind spots are and how to safely navigate around commercial trucks.
At Ted Law Firm, we’ve seen the devastating consequences of such truck accident injuries. If you’ve suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBI), internal bleeding, spinal cord injuries, or physical injuries from a jackknifed truck or a fatal truck crash, you need expert help from an experienced truck accident lawyer or experienced truck accident attorney.
What Are Truck Blind Spots?
A blind spot is any area around a vehicle that the truck driver cannot see using mirrors or line of sight. Semi-trucks have significantly larger blind spots than regular passenger cars because of their size, equipment failure, and design. These blind spots exist on all four sides of the truck and are especially dangerous because of longer stopping distances, sudden braking, and driver error.
The main blind spots include the front blind spot, rear blind spot, left side blind spot, and right side blind spot. The right side blind spot is the most dangerous, where many types of truck accidents occur due to improper loading, trailer swing, or trailer slew.
Why Are Truck Blind Spots So Dangerous?
Truck blind spots lead to serious crashes in lanes of traffic when vehicles change lanes suddenly or attempt to pass on the right. These crashes often result from:
- A vehicle damage caused by a car in the blind spot while the truck changes lanes
- Sudden stops causing rear-end collisions with commercial trucks
- Loss of control from jackknife truck accidents on slippery roads or icy roads
- Drivers passing turning trucks at an acute angle or sharp angle
Because of the duty of care that truck drivers and truck companies have, failure to monitor these zones properly can make them liable parties or responsible parties in truck accident lawsuits.
How to Stay Out of Truck Blind Spots
Your best defense against truck accident injury claims is awareness. Follow these tips:
- Always pass semi-trucks on the left side quickly to avoid lingering in dangerous types of blind spots.
- Avoid cutting in too close in front of commercial trucks to prevent jackknife crashes from improper braking or defective brakes.
- Don’t tailgate; maintain safe distances so you are visible in the truck driver’s side mirrors.
- Give trucks plenty of room to turn, especially on curvy roads or when road conditions are poor.
- Be predictable and avoid distracted driving near commercial vehicles.
- Understand that weather conditions, such as bad weather or dangerous weather conditions, increase the risk of jackknife truck crashes and other types of collisions.
When Blind Spot Accidents Occur
Even the safest drivers can become injured parties in blind spot truck accidents. Common truck accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, emotional distress, and loss of consortium or loss of companionship. These incidents often require extensive medical care and physical therapy.
What to Do If You’re in a Blind Spot Truck Accident
If involved in a crash related to a blind spot:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Get medical care, even for minor injuries.
- Document the scene thoroughly.
- Exchange info with the truck driver and insurance providers or insurance companies.
- Avoid admitting fault and report to your insurance adjuster.
- Consult a personal injury attorney or truck accident lawyer to explore your rights and seek fair compensation and maximum compensation.
Liability in Blind Spot Accidents
Determining fault parties or liable parties can be complicated. Sometimes truck driver error, driver fatigue from hours of service regulations violations, or equipment failure lead to truck accidents. In other cases, the truck company or insurance companies may be responsible due to poor training or failure to maintain vehicles properly.
Preventing Truck Blind Spot Accidents: A Community Responsibility
Prevention requires cooperation from all responsible parties:
- Trucking companies should equip trucks with anti-lock brakes, side cameras, and provide regular training on blind spot awareness.
- Government agencies can improve highway signage, create safer roads and dedicated truck lanes, and run public safety campaigns.
Final Thoughts
Understanding blind spots and avoiding dangerous situations around commercial trucks can prevent jackknife truck accidents, catastrophic injury, and other serious types of crashes. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced truck accident attorney or truck accident lawyer for legal assistance, legal representation, and help in seeking financial compensation. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys will guide you through every step and help secure the justice your family deserves. Let Ted Law Firm handle the legal stress while you focus on healing. We proudly serve injury victims in Aiken, Anderson, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta, Orangeburg, Columbia, Charleston and Summerville. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s reckless or criminal behavior, our experienced attorneys are here to help you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve. Let Ted Law Firm help you file a successful claim for emotional damages. Contact Ted Law Firm today for a free consultation on your truck accident injury claim and ensure your rights are protected.
