Ponchatoula Blind Spot Truck Accidents
Operating a large truck can be perilous work, and truckers must be vigilant every moment on the road to avoid a deadly collision with an automobile or motorcycle. One of the most dangerous factors about commercial trucks is the large blind spots, as the length and height of a truck can make it difficult for the driver to see other motorists at all times.
If you are injured in a Ponchatoula blind spot truck accident, you may require the assistance of an experienced lawyer to obtain the monetary compensation you need to finance your recovery.
Truck Design Causes Blind Spots Much Larger Than Others
Blind spots, also named No-Zones by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), are areas drivers cannot see in the ordinary course of driving. They are responsible for about one-third of all truck accidents each year. Much of this is due to the truck’s design, which causes blind spots to be larger than on passenger vehicles.
Semis and other large commercial trucks are not designed with rear-view mirrors to see vehicles behind them. While auto drivers can encounter blind spots in the rear-view mirror and look over their shoulders to dismiss them, a trucker cannot do these things. Other design factors that create large blind spots are the cab’s height and the trailer’s length.
Cab Height
The cab of an eighteen-wheeler is high off the ground, and consequently, a trucker may have a more challenging time seeing vehicles next to or directly in front of them. Small sports cars or motorcycles can be even more difficult to see, so it is a good idea for drivers of these vehicles to leave plenty of room between themselves and the trucks around them.
Trailer Length
Big rig trailers and cabs measure between seventy and eighty feet long, and those with double or triple trailers can reach up to one hundred feet long. Vehicles next to a trailer are most likely caught in a trucker’s blind spot, which can run the trailer’s length.
Motorcyclists, auto drivers, and passengers involved in a blind spot truck accident should contact a Ponchatoula attorney as soon as possible to discuss their options to recover damages.
Avoid Blind Spot Accidents
Truckers should routinely check their side mirrors to make sure they adequately reflect the areas around the truck. Failing to do so could be considered carelessness on the trucker’s part. Other drivers on the road need to remain aware that truckers may not see them, so driving defensively is necessary. Drivers should:
- Refrain from tailgating commercial trucks
- Allow a wide berth when passing a truck and signal, if possible, to make sure the trucker is aware of another vehicle
- Be aware of where a trucker’s blind spots are
- Maintain proper speed and adjust behavior for weather conditions
Even drivers maintaining safety precautions can be involved in traffic accidents. Drivers who suspect a trucker is at fault in an accident should contact a Ponchatoula lawyer who can build a case against the trucker and the trucking company if applicable.
Proving Negligence
To prevail in a blind spot truck accident lawsuit, a plaintiff must prove the trucker was negligent. To prove negligence, the plaintiff must show that the trucker failed to uphold the necessary duty of care to drive safely near other drivers on the road.
A local attorney must effectively prove that the trucker breached the duty of care. The plaintiff must be harmed in an accident caused by the breach. For example, if a trucker is weaving and speeding, does not see a car in a blind spot, and smashes into it, injuring its driver, they can be considered negligent.
Enlist a Ponchatoula Attorney for Help After a Blind Spot Truck Accident
An aggressive and dedicated Ponchatoula lawyer can be your legal advocate if you are injured in a truck accident caused by a blind spot. A skilled attorney can help you achieve the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and get started building your case.