Truck Accidents Caused by Blind Spots or No Zones
Commercial trucks are crucial to our economy. But they present dangers that do not typically exist with other vehicles. One of the biggest reasons why trucks are so dangerous are their blind spots.
Blind spots account for hundreds of thousands of accidents each year. Other drivers are sometimes lulled into a false sense of security because truckers are higher off the ground, where they mistakenly expect visibility to be better.
The Department of Transportation provides the following statistics when it comes to truck blind spots:
- More than 413,000 accidents are caused every year across the country due to truck blind spots
- More than 160,000 fatalities are blamed on accidents involving truck blind spots
A blind spot is the area around a truck, or vehicle, which the driver cannot see. These areas are also often known as “No Zones”, since passenger vehicles are well advised to avoid traveling in those area directly in front of, behind, or beside large trucks. While most drivers are accustomed to seeing commercial trucks on busy roadways, many fail to realize that these tractor-trailers and other large vehicles have sizable blind spots, which enhance the risk for serious accidents.
Truck blind spots are larger than one might expect. Large commercial trucks have enormous blind spots. A large truck’s blind spots can extend almost the entire length of the trailer on the right side, plus several yards in the back. Even when a vehicle is in front of a truck, the driver might not be able to see how much room he has between the front of his truck and the vehicle.
Due to the large size of these blind spots, accidents are much more prevalent. While commercial truck drivers are trained to watch for vehicles that may be in their blind spots, they aren’t always as cautious as they should be. Complicating the problem is the fact that other drivers may not be mindful of the truck’s No Zones — the areas that should be avoided at all costs.
When truck drivers fail to pay attention to their blind spots, they may be liable for any blind spot accidents that occur. Since many truck wrecks cause severe or even fatal injuries, it’s common for accident victims or their families to pursue compensation as a result of damages that result.