If you've ever felt nervous while driving alongside a large commercial truck, it's for good reason. Large commercial trucks with trailers attached can be around 72 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, 13.5 feet tall and weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. That's much larger and heavier than a car.
Blind spots are when a truck driver can't see nearby drivers or others on the road. It takes a considerable amount of experience and skill to operate a large commercial truck. It's important that truck drivers are trained to use their side mirrors and look over their shoulders for cars that might be in blind spots. Trucking companies and fleet owners must also ensure that all trucks are equipped with extended side mirrors and blind spot warning signs.
How to identify truck blind spots
As a driver, it's important to know where blind spots exist on large trucks. They are typically located on:
- Both sides of the trailer or cab. Blind spots are very common on both the left and right sides of the cab and trailer. When truck drivers fail to see cars in these blind spots, they may change lanes. This can lead to drivers being knocked off the road or crushed beneath the trailer.
- Front of the cab. The height of a large truck can make it difficult for truck drivers to see cars in front of them. This can lead to serious and fatal rear-end collisions.
- Back of the trailer. The blind spot in the back of a trailer can extend for several feet. This can cause a smaller car to get crushed underneath the back of the trailer when a truck driver suddenly stops on a highway or backs up.
Can I pursue a truck accident claim if I was injured in a crash?
Blind spot crashes often lead to serious and fatal crashes. If you managed to survive, you may have sustained broken bones or spinal injuries. You may have also sustained a traumatic brain injury. To make matters worse, you could be facing major medical expenses.
Truck accidents are far more complex than car accidents. You're not only up against a trucking company with deep pockets and a lot to lose, but you're also up against the insurance company that represents them. In many cases, the cab, trailer and cargo are insured separately, which means more insurance companies involved in your case.
You're already dealing with the physical and emotional pain associated with your crash. On top of that, you're dealing with the financial devastation of your losses. The last thing you need is to have your claim downplayed or denied.
That's where the experienced Indiana truck accident attorneys at Boughter Sinak come in. We'll launch our own investigation and gather the facts to support your claim. We'll also sort out the complexities involved in your case and fight to maximize your compensation.
Our law offices are located in Fort Wayne and South Bend. Contact us online to schedule your free and confidential case evaluation.