On a highway, when you are driving next to a large commercial truck, you probably get a little nervous. Because semi-trucks are so much bigger and heavier, you know that they have the potential to crush smaller passenger cars, so you might want to make sure that the truck driver can see you. Unfortunately, worrying about whether a truck’s driver can see you is a valid concern because trucks have large blind spots that can interfere with a driver’s ability to see what is around them.
If you or your loved one experienced harm in a crash, a dedicated commercial vehicle attorney who is familiar with blind-spot truck accidents in Woodbridge can help you. The trusted legal team from Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC can guide you through a personal injury lawsuit. Call today to learn more.
Locations of Semi-Truck’s Blind Spots
All motor vehicles have some blind spots, which are parts of the road that a driver cannot see because they are blocked by the structure of the vehicle and out of the driver’s field of vision or mirrors. In standard passenger cars, the largest blind spot is behind the driver. In order to avoid blind spot accidents, people in cars usually physically turn their heads and do not rely solely on their rearview or sideview mirrors when they plan to merge, switch lanes, or turn left.
With trucks, turning around to avoid blind spots is not usually possible, especially if the truck has a trailer. Trucks often have much larger blind spots that can severely impede a driver’s vision.
Behind the Truck
Trailers block the driver from seeing what is directly behind them. Even if a truck driver turns their head to determine what is there, they would not be able to see anything other than the trailer. By using their side-view mirrors, truck drivers can see objects far behind them, but the area directly behind the trailer is still usually a blind spot.
In Front of the Truck
Truck cabs sit considerably higher off the ground than other vehicles and have long front hoods. A truck driver cannot easily see what is directly in front of them, particularly if it is a small passenger car.
To the Rear Left of the Truck
Truck drivers cannot clearly see what is to the rear-left of their trailers, even with their side-view mirrors.
To the Rear Right of the Truck
Because they sit on the left, truck drivers have even more of a blind spot area on the rear right. When they make a right turn, they might not be able to see what is near them.
Our experienced Woodbridge Township attorneys know how traumatic blind spot accidents with trucks can be. We can give our clients the individual, personalized attention they need and deserve at such a trying time.
Reasons Why Blind-Spot Truck Crashes Happen
Truck drivers should be aware that their vehicle has blind spots and take action to minimize the risk of accidents. Blind-spot crashes can occur for the following reasons:
- Truck driver inexperience due to lack of training or poor qualifications
- Truck driver failed to fix their mirrors
- Truck driver failed to check their blind spots
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Overly fatigued driving
- The truck did not have rear cameras or other up-to-date accident-avoidance technology
Our skilled legal team can investigate the circumstances of a blind-spot accident in Woodbridge to determine why it happened and search for evidence of liability.
Call a Woodbridge Lawyer After a Blind-Spot Truck Crash
Although most drivers probably try their best to avoid being trapped in a truck’s blind spots, ultimately, it is the truck driver’s duty to avoid blind-spot truck accidents in Woodbridge.
If a truck driver changed lanes or merged and hit you because you were in the truck’s blind spot, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call our dedicated local legal team today to set up a free consultation to discuss the details of your accident. The lawyers at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC are always easily accessible and can give your case the attention it deserves.
