Semi-trucks are essential to our country’s economy, especially in the age of online ordering that has increased the amount of goods being transported long distances. The sheer size of tractor-trailers or semi-trucks makes them a force to be reckoned with on the roads.
Most drivers recognize that trucks are much larger than passenger vehicles and can inflict much more damage, but many of us fail to realize how large the blind spots are on a truck. Some truck drivers are not as careful as they should be about checking their blind spots before turning or changing lanes, resulting in blind spot accidents that can cause severe injuries.
The East Texas truck accident attorneys at the Sloan Firm have provided the following information to help you avoid blind spot accidents and understand what to do if you have already been injured in one. We want you to drive as safely as possible on roads filled with semi-trucks, stay vigilant of their blind spots, and understand how to avoid being caught in them.
Where Are Semi-Truck Blind Spots?
Unlike a car that has small blind spots just on the sides, a semi-truck has large blind spots on the front and rear, as well as the sides. The height of the hood on the front of a truck, for instance, creates a blind spot in front of the truck that a small car could easily get lost in.
The lack of a rearview mirror on trucks and the length of their trailers make seeing directly behind them impossible for the truck driver as well. Trucks also have exceptionally large blind spots on their sides, particularly on the right of the truck.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the most dangerous blind spot on a semi-truck is on its right side where visibility is most limited and where trucks need extra space when making right turns.
Liability for Truck Blind Spot Accidents
Professional truck drivers should receive training about how to safely accommodate blind spots. If they have not been trained, or if they fail to follow the training they have received, then they or their trucking company may be held liable for a blind spot accident that occurs from the driver’s negligence.
Common Types of Injuries in Blind Spot Accidents
The types of injuries that commonly occur in truck blind spot accidents are wide-ranging and often severe. The fact that a tractor-trailer weighs approximately 20 to 30 times more than a typical automobile means that the smaller vehicle and its occupants usually suffer the greatest damage.
Spinal cord injuries, broken bones, concussions, back and neck injuries, and even death are some of the typical results of a blind spot accident involving a semi-truck. In a single recent year, the FMCSA reported a total of 83,000 accidents involving tractor-trailers. A sobering 3,598 of those accidents involved fatalities.
Contact an East Texas Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck blind spot accident, don’t hesitate to contact the Sloan Firm online or by phone now for a free consultation. We have the experience and resources that can help you pursue the compensation you deserve after a blind spot accident.