Who Is Responsible After a Truck Blind Spot Accident?

All vehicles have blind spots, but semi-trucks’ blind spots are significantly larger than those on cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. These areas are so dangerous they’re called “no-zones,” and drivers are cautioned to avoid traveling in them for extended periods.

While it’s important for passenger vehicle drivers to be aware of truck blind spots and to avoid them whenever possible, they’re not always at fault when blind spot accidents occur. As with any type of accident, blind spot accidents can have many different causes with many different liable parties.

In this blog, we’ll explain where truck blind spots are located, how they cause crashes, who’s responsible for those accidents, and how we can help.

Where Are Trucks’ Blind Spots?

First, it’s important to identify where trucks’ blind spots exist. Although unattached semi-truck cabs have blind spots (as virtually all vehicles do), semi-trucks’ blind spots are most prominent when they’re hauling trailers.

The four “no-zones” on semi-trucks include these areas:

• Directly in front of the truck (up to 20 feet)
• Directly behind the trailer (up to 30 feet)
• Along the left side, especially near the cab
• Along the right side, which is the largest and most dangerous blind spot

How Do Truck Blind Spots Cause Accidents?

Blind spots are one of the top causes of crashes for all types of vehicles, trucks included. For trucks, these crashes often happen when truck drivers change lanes, merge, or turn without seeing a vehicle in their blind spot.

These accidents can be especially dangerous at highway speeds or in congested traffic. Smaller cars, motorcycles, and even pedestrians can be completely hidden from view, leading to side-swipes, rear-end collisions, or vehicles being run off the road.

Who Can Be Held Liable for These Crashes?

Truck accidents are often complex, and more than one party may share liability for a single accident. This is true even for blind spot accidents. Liable parties often include:

• The Truck Driver: If the driver failed to check their mirrors, use turn signals, or take appropriate precautions when changing lanes, they may be held liable for negligence.
• The Truck Owner: Although mirrors can’t show truck drivers everything they need to see, they’re essential for safe driving and legally required. If a truck has a missing or broken mirror, the truck owner could be held liable for a blind spot crash.
• The Trucking Company: Employers can be held responsible for their drivers’ actions, especially if the driver was improperly trained or overworked due to unreasonable delivery schedules.
• Other Drivers: In some cases, another vehicle may have contributed to the accident by erratically changing lanes or lingering in a blind spot, which can result in a chain reaction of dangerous maneuvers culminating in a collision. 
• Vehicle Manufacturers or Maintenance Providers: If a mechanical failure or a design flaw that resulted in an excessively large blind spot played a role in the crash, those responsible for the truck’s manufacture or condition may share liability.

It’s common for the insurers of truck drivers and truck companies to blame the injured drivers in other vehicles for blind spot accidents. They may argue that the drivers should have moved out of the blind spots or avoided them in the first place. However, that’s often impossible or even dangerous when driving in heavy traffic, and it’s up to truck drivers to be aware of their surroundings and change lanes, turn, and accelerate safely.

What Steps Should I Take After a Truck Blind Spot Crash?

If you’ve been involved in a truck blind spot accident, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

• Seek Medical Attention: Your safety comes first. Even if you feel okay, get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries can take hours or days to appear.
• Dial 911: A police report of the accident will be a key piece of evidence for your claim if you decide to pursue compensation.
• Document the Scene: If you’re able, take photos of any vehicle damage, road conditions, your injuries, and anything else relevant.
• Get Contact Information: Exchange information with the truck driver and gather contact details from any witnesses.
• Don’t Admit Fault: Stick to the facts when speaking to police, the truck driver, or insurance companies.
• Speak to a Lawyer: A Green Bay truck accident attorney can guide you through the claims process, handle negotiations, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Taking these steps early can make a big difference in the strength of your claim and your ability to recover financially and physically after the crash.

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers

Getting compensation for a car accident is difficult enough, especially on your own. Truck accidents are even more complex, as the insurance companies that represent semi-trucks and their drivers are aggressive and uncooperative.

It’s important to get experienced legal representation as soon as possible. At Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, we know what you’re going through, and we have the resources and experience to build a winning claim for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.