Sharing the road with large commercial trucks can be challenging. Tractor-trailers have blind spots on all four sides, making it difficult for a truck driver to see other vehicles. These large blind spots often cause severe collisions. If a blind spot truck accident in Roswell left you injured, you could pursue economic damages against the negligent individual. A local truck accident attorney could assess your case and help you collect compensation for your losses.
Where are Tractor-Trailer Blind Spots?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration spent time carefully analyzing big rig blind spots, and the picture is sobering. Because of the height of the cab, large tractor-trailers cannot see the space twenty feet in front of them. A sedan could easily travel in that blind spot and be invisible to the truck driver. The blind spot behind a truck driver is an even larger 30 feet. For example, two passenger vehicles could drive directly behind a big rig without the truck driver noticing them.
Truckers have even less ability to see vehicles traveling alongside them. For instance, a truck driver cannot see a car traveling along its left side when the car is in the space between the cab and the middle of the trailer. On the right side, the blind spot stretches the length of the trailer across two lanes of traffic. Mirrors help the trucker see the surrounding vehicles, but even these tools have limitations, especially when the truck is turning. If a truck is turning right, the mirror will reflect the trailer, not the adjacent lane.
A knowledgeable attorney in Roswell could help anyone confused about the extents of a truck’s blind spots become comfortable with these commercial vehicles.
Truck Drivers Must Track Surrounding Traffic
Because of the major blind spots on all sides of the tractor-trailer, a truck driver in Roswell must stay attuned to their surroundings at all times to avoid an accident. Although motorists are wise to avoid truck blind spots to the best degree possible, it is a truck driver’s responsibility to know when other vehicles are in these unseen areas.
Most late-model commercial vehicles come equipped with technology that helps a trucker remain aware of the traffic around them. For example, cameras may help the trucker see into the blind spots. Lane intrusion alarms can signal the trucker to when a vehicle enters a blind spot and let them know if another car is occupying an adjacent lane before a turn or merging.
Above all, truckers must pay attention. The mirrors and cameras are not useful if the driver is not continually checking them. At highway speeds, a distraction of any sort could cause a fatal blind spot accident.
Liability in Blind Spot Truck Accidents
Everyone on the roads has a duty to take reasonable care to operate their vehicles safely. Obeying traffic laws, keeping vehicles maintained in a safe condition, only driving when fit to do so, and remaining attentive to conditions are all part of a driver’s duty. When a driver fails in that duty, they are negligent.
Truck drivers have an enhanced duty because the size, weight, and shape of their vehicles pose an increased hazard to others. Additionally, truckers drive for profit and that profit should not come at the expense of others’ safety. Strict federal laws and regulations govern proper training procedures, truck safety and maintenance, and working hours limitations for truckers.
If an individual was in a blind spot accident with a truck, their attorney in Roswell could investigate for evidence of negligence. The attorney could look into the direct cause of the crash, but also review whether the driver and trucking company followed all state and federal laws and regulations. If the attorney finds any violation, it could be evidence of negligence.
The injured driver of the vehicle traveling in the truck’s blind spot could also have some liability. Although truckers must remain aware of the position of other vehicles that might be in their blind spots, a driver who is weaving in traffic or passing a tractor-trailer on the right when the accident occurs could be partially at-fault for the wreck. As long as an injured driver is less than 50 percent responsible for the crash, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated §51-11-7 allows them to collect reduced damages from other negligent parties.
Contact an Attorney in Roswell Following a Blind Spot Truck Accident
If you were in a wreck with a tractor-trailer, you might be recuperating from serious injuries. You need this time to recover physically and emotionally, reconnect with your family, and plan for the future. After a blind spot truck accident in Roswell, seek out a diligent attorney to pursue damages on your behalf. Trucking companies take a hard line when paying out injury claims so you need an advocate who can stand up and fight for your right to fair compensation. Schedule a case review today.