Why Blind Spots Are Deadly Around Trucks
Why Blind Spots Are Deadly Around Trucks
Blog Article
Every vehicle has blind spots — areas around the car or truck that the driver cannot see using mirrors alone. But in the case of large commercial trucks, these blind spots aren’t just inconvenient — they’re deadly. Thousands of accidents occur each year because drivers or pedestrians unknowingly enter a truck’s “no-zone”, leading to collisions, serious injuries, and fatalities.
If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a truck’s blind spot, understanding why blind spots are so dangerous is key to proving liability and getting the compensation you deserve. In this article, we’ll break down how truck blind spots work, why they’re often overlooked, and how a qualified truck accident lawyer can protect your rights.
What Are Truck Blind Spots?
Blind spots, also called no-zones, are areas around a truck where the driver has limited or no visibility, even when using mirrors. Due to their size, shape, and elevated driver position, commercial trucks have significantly larger blind spots than regular cars.
The four major blind spots for a typical 18-wheeler or semi-truck include:
1. Front Blind Spot
The area directly in front of the truck — typically extending 20 feet from the bumper. Because of the truck’s height and slanted windshield, the driver often can’t see small vehicles or pedestrians in this zone.
2. Rear Blind Spot
Extending about 30 feet behind the trailer, this is an especially dangerous area. Truck drivers cannot see directly behind them due to the size and lack of a rearview mirror.
3. Left-Side Blind Spot
Running along the truck’s driver side — starting from the cab to nearly the back of the trailer. While visibility is better on this side compared to the right, it still poses risk.
4. Right-Side Blind Spot
This is the largest and most dangerous blind spot, stretching across two or more lanes. Drivers in these lanes may be completely invisible to the truck operator.
When another vehicle lingers in any of these areas — especially during lane changes or turns — the results can be catastrophic.
Why Are Blind Spots So Deadly?
1. Size and Weight of Trucks
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. When a smaller car is in a truck’s blind spot and a collision occurs, the passenger vehicle often sustains crushing damage, leading to severe or fatal injuries.
2. Longer Stopping Distances
Even if a truck driver spots a vehicle in their blind spot at the last second, it may be too late to stop or change direction. Fully loaded trucks can take hundreds of feet to come to a complete stop, making emergency maneuvers nearly impossible.
3. Wide Turns
Trucks often make wide right turns, which swing into adjacent lanes. If a car is in the right-side blind spot, it can get sideswiped or pinned against curbs, poles, or guardrails.
4. Lane Changes Without Warning
Truck drivers frequently shift lanes on highways to pass slower vehicles or prepare for exits. If they can’t see you in their blind spot, they may change lanes directly into your vehicle.
5. Driver Fatigue or Distraction
Many blind spot accidents happen when drivers are tired or distracted and fail to check mirrors properly. Even a moment of inattention can lead to a serious or fatal crash.
Who’s at Fault in a Blind Spot Accident?
Fault in blind spot crashes is often disputed. While other drivers are expected to avoid a truck’s no-zones, truck drivers still have a legal responsibility to check their mirrors, use signals, and ensure the lane is clear before turning or changing lanes.
In most cases, the truck driver or trucking company may be at fault if:
The driver failed to signal before changing lanes
Mirrors or camera systems were poorly adjusted or malfunctioning
The driver was distracted or fatigued
The truck had missing blind spot warning decals
The company failed to train the driver on safe lane maneuvers
An experienced truck accident lawyer can investigate the case, collect black box and camera data, and reconstruct the accident to prove fault.
How to Avoid a Truck’s Blind Spots
Even if you’re not at fault, it’s important to know how to protect yourself when driving near large trucks.
Tips for Passenger Vehicles:
Stay out of the “no-zones” — especially on the right side and rear
Pass quickly, not slowly, when overtaking a truck
Avoid tailgating a truck, as the driver cannot see you
Give trucks extra space when merging, braking, or turning
If you can’t see the driver’s face in the mirror, they likely can’t see you
Be especially cautious in bad weather, construction zones, or at night
Tips for Pedestrians and Cyclists:
Never assume a truck driver sees you in front or alongside their cab
Stay back at intersections where trucks are turning
Avoid walking or cycling alongside a turning truck
Make eye contact with the driver whenever possible
Even the most defensive drivers may find themselves victims in blind spot crashes. When that happens, you need legal support fast.
Evidence Used in Blind Spot Accident Cases
Proving fault in a blind spot accident can be challenging. Your truck accident lawyer will build your case using:
Dashcam or traffic camera footage
Black box data showing speed, turn signals, and braking
Witness statements from passengers, bystanders, or other drivers
Truck maintenance records (to check for mirror or sensor failures)
Driver logs to determine fatigue or distraction
Crash reconstruction expert reports
This evidence helps show whether the truck driver acted recklessly — or failed to follow safe driving procedures.
Common Injuries from Blind Spot Truck Accidents
Because of the size disparity between trucks and passenger vehicles, blind spot collisions often result in severe injuries, including:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
Internal bleeding
Broken bones and crushed limbs
Facial disfigurement
Wrongful death
Medical costs for these injuries can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars — not to mention lost income, emotional trauma, and long-term care.
Your lawyer will fight to recover damages such as:
Emergency room and surgical expenses
Ongoing therapy and rehab
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Vehicle replacement or repairs
What to Do After a Blind Spot Truck Accident
If you’ve been hit by a truck that didn’t see you in their blind spot, take these steps immediately:
Call 911 and get medical help — even for minor symptoms
Report the accident to police and request a full report
Take photos of vehicle damage, injuries, and the crash scene
Get witness information if anyone saw the collision
Do not speak to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster
Contact a trusted truck accident lawyer to review your case
The sooner you act, the easier it will be to preserve evidence and build a strong claim.
Final Thoughts
Blind spots around trucks aren’t just minor visibility issues — they’re zones of extreme danger that cause thousands of injuries and fatalities every year. While it’s every driver’s responsibility to avoid lingering in a truck’s no-zones, truck drivers and their employers are ultimately responsible for operating safely and following blind spot safety protocols.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a blind spot truck accident, don’t try to handle it alone. A skilled truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights, gather key evidence, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
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