What to Know About Blind Spot Truck Accidents

Just thinking about an accident with a big truck is scary. You can do your best to avoid a wreck, but accidents will happen- and an 18-wheeler truck is more likely to have larger blind spots wherein the driver can’t see your vehicle. Will you be prepared to deal with the medical and legal ramifications of this type of accident? Your best bet is to stay informed and alert to protect yourself in the event that you find yourself in a precarious situation. You will want to look out for common triggers in blind spot truck accidents.

The legal team at the Tatum Law Firm has many years of experience helping people overcome the legal obstacles in the way of successful settlements. If you have therefore been involved in a truck accident, here is some information on blind spot accidents that could help you.

What are Blind Spot Truck Accidents?

A vehicle as large as a commercial truck has many available blind spots, which are the areas on a vehicle in which a driver will lose sight of other vehicles on the road. With big trucks, these blind spots can be quite large, making them potentially dangerous vehicles you should calmly avoid on the roads.

If a truck driver is not paying adequate attention and fails to check before changing lanes or turning, the results can be devastating.

Where are the Blind Spots?

On any given 18-wheeler, there are four main blind spots to keep in mind.

• Immediately in front of the cabin
• Immediately behind the trailer
• Beneath and behind the driver’s side window
• Beneath and behind the passenger’s side door extending all the way to the back of the trailer

A good way to determine if you are in a truck’s blind spot is by checking its mirrors. If you cannot see the truck driver, he or she probably cannot see you. You therefore should always use caution when approaching or passing a large commercial truck.

Who is at Fault?

Truck drivers are obligated to check all of their blind spots before changing lanes, turning or applying the brakes. Even then, keeping track of all the spots can be difficult. Many insurance companies will blame you for driving hazardously close to the truck.

What makes matters more difficult is determining who is at fault in an accident involving a big truck. You might think the driver is at fault, but truck drivers can pass the fault to the trucking companies, drivers who are renting the truck or the loader of the truck.

Contact an Attorney for More Information

You should never attempt to fight insurance companies alone. If you have been involved in a blind spot truck accident, you deserve to have professional legal counsel by your side to help guide you through the process. This is where the attorneys at the Tatum Law Firm can help.

With years of experience in the industry aiding personal injury accident victims, we know what to look for in blind spot truck accidents and most similar cases. For more information on how our attorneys could help you, contact one of our representatives right away.
For more information on blind spot truck accidents and what to do if you are involved, contact an experienced and professional attorney at the Tatum Law Firm today for help.