All vehicles have their blind spots. As a driver, it’s your responsibility to check them to avoid causing an accident. Freight trucks have large blind spots because they’re large vehicles and the driver is usually sat higher up. The higher position can help the driver look around but they can struggle to see what is directly in front of the truck.
Freight trucks are powerful vehicles and they pose a high risk to drivers who enter their blind spots.
Blind spots or ‘No Zones’ are areas around the vehicle where the driver cannot see. These are dangerous areas for any motorist (and cyclists) because the driver will think it’s safe to maneuver their vehicle and not realize there is another vehicle in their blind spot.
If you cannot see the front side mirrors, it’s likely the driver can’t see you. This puts you in a potentially dangerous situation. If the driver decides to make a maneuver they might not be aware you’re driving in their blind spot and this can cause a devastating accident.
How Large Is a Truck’s Blind Spot?
Freight trucks have more blind spots compared to a car.
The blind spots include:
- Directly in front of the truck: the driver is seated higher but they cannot see what is directly below them.
- Directly behind the truck: this is a major blind spot. When you’re driving behind a truck and you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, the driver will not be able to see you.
- On the left and right side of the truck, directly behind the passenger doors: Just like in a car, the truck driver has a blind spot over their shoulder, it’s important they check this regularly for drivers overtaking them.
Truck drivers can struggle to see other vehicles passing them because they have large blind spots around them. This is why it’s so important to give truck drivers plenty of room so they can see you.
The more experienced freight truck drivers know to take extra measures to check these blind spots are regularly checked. However inexperience and/or distractions can cause a truck driver and your vehicle to have an accident.
Have You Been Involved in a Blind Spot Truck Accident?
When you’ve been caught in an accident with a truck because you were hit in their blind spot, the damage to your vehicle and to you can be devastating. Collisions with freight trucks can cause extensive damage.
Just like you’re responsible for checking the blind spots around your vehicle, the truck driver is responsible for checking theirs. Truck drivers owe other road users a reasonable duty of care and if they cause an accident because they did not check their blind spot, they are liable. It’s their responsibility to be extra careful and vigilant when driving a large freight truck.
Truck Accident Personal Injury Lawyers
At Coxwell & Associates, PLLC, our attorneys have worked on truck accident compensation cases in Mississippi. We are a dedicated team of lawyers who fight for our clients, we’re not afraid of insurance companies and we refuse to settle for less than our clients deserve.
Complete this form and one of our attorneys will call you to talk about your case or call us on (601) 265-7766.
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Disclaimer: This blog is intended as general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer immediately.