Truck Accidents and Blind Spots: Causes of Collisions
Commercial truck accidents can cause devastating damages, including catastrophic injuries, fatalities, and debilitating financial losses. Unfortunately, these types of crashes occur on a fairly regular basis. There are many potential causes of truck accidents, one of them being blind spots.
All vehicles have blind spots, but commercial trucks have more blind spots than a passenger vehicle, and the blind spots are much larger. Here, the truck accident lawyers from Quick Law Group, PLLC, in Bellevue, WA, discuss how a commercial truck’s blind spots can lead to a truck accident, and what drivers can do to reduce that risk.
Locations of Commercial Truck Blind Spots
Most drivers are aware of their own vehicle’s blind spots. Knowing where blind spots exist is vital, because it informs drivers of the areas that need to be checked prior to changing lanes, making a turn, etc. It is just as important for passenger vehicle drivers to know where the blind spots exist on a commercial truck, because then they can avoid traveling in these locations for extended periods of time. Commercial trucks have blind spots in the following areas:
- In front of the cab of the truck (this blind spot can extend 20 feet in front of the vehicle)
- To the right and left of the truck (these blind spots run the length of the truck and can extend as far out as three lanes of traffic, depending on the truck’s size)
- Behind the trailer of the truck (this blind spot can extend 30 feet in back of the truck)
Causes of Blind Spot Truck Accidents
Even though blind spots exist, that doesn’t mean that commercial truck accidents involving blind spots are not preventable. Most blind spot truck accidents are caused by driver error or neglect. Driving practices that commonly lead to blind spot truck crashes include:
- Failing to check blind spots before making a maneuver
- Failing to signal before changing lanes or turning
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Riding in a truck’s blind spot for extended periods of time
Reducing the Risk of a Blind Spot Truck Accident
Most blind spot truck accidents are completely preventable. While Bellevue drivers cannot control the actions of other drivers on the road, they can take certain precautions to minimize the risk of a blind spot truck accident. Safe driving practices should include:
- Following trucks and other vehicles at a safe distance (drivers should pass a fixed object on the road at least three seconds after the vehicle in front of them passes it)
- Using a turn signal before turning or changing lanes
- Making sure there is plenty of distance between your vehicle and a truck’s cab when changing lanes in front of a commercial truck
- Avoiding passing on the right of a commercial truck
- Avoiding lingering in a truck’s blind spots
Contact Our Law Firm
If a negligent or reckless truck driver has caused a blind spot accident that has left you injured, the lawyers at Quick Law Group, PLLC, can assist you in pursuing compensation for damages. To discuss the details of your case and learn more about your legal options, contact our law firm online or call our Bellevue office at (425) 576-8150.