Hollywood Truck Blind Spot Accidents

Large trucks can be intimidating on the road and for a good reason. The significant height and length of commercial trucks – particularly those towing trailers – create large areas with little to no visibility on all sides of the vehicle.

If truck drivers fail to check their blind spots before merging, passing, or turning, they risk hitting passenger vehicles in those areas. Due to the size and weight of semi-trucks, the chances are good that passenger vehicle occupants will suffer severe injuries in a truck blind spot accident.

The Hollywood, Florida, truck accident attorneys at Rosen & Ohr, PA, have fought for crash victims for more than 45 years. With our help, our clients have recovered millions of dollars to help rebuild their lives. We passionately focus on putting our clients and their needs first.

For more information on how we can help after a truck blind spot accident in Hollywood, FL, contact us for a free consultation.

What Are Blind Spots or ‘No Zones’?

Many of us learned about blind spots when we first learned to drive. A blind spot or “no zone” is an area near a vehicle where it is difficult for the driver to see what is happening. While proper mirror placement and looking over your shoulders can help reduce the dangers of blind spots, drivers are still at an increased risk of a crash whenever they are in another vehicle’s blind spot.

Where Are the Blind Spots Around a Truck?

Because semi-trucks are taller, longer, and sit higher off the road than most other vehicles, they have much larger blind spots. The three critical blind spots or “no zones” around a semi-truck are:

• Directly in front of the truck — Trucks have much longer hoods than many other vehicles, and they also sit higher off the road. These two factors make it difficult for a truck driver to see anything directly in front of the truck. It is a challenge for truck drivers to see sedans and other small cars directly in front of them.
• Directly behind the truck — Unless a truck is equipped with a rear-view camera, a truck driver can’t see anything directly behind them because the truck’s trailer blocks their view. If the truck driver slams on the brakes, anyone directly behind the truck is in danger of colliding with the back of the truck’s trailer. In some cases, a car can become stuck under the body of a truck after a collision, which is known as an underride accident.
• To either side of the truck — Trucks have significant blind spots running diagonally from the truck’s cab to the back of the trailer on either side. A truck’s right-side blind spot is especially prominent because truck drivers sit farther away from their right-hand mirrors than their left-hand mirrors. While side-view mirrors can help truck drivers see what is happening to a certain extent, other drivers should avoid lingering in these blind spots, especially on the right side of a truck.

Causes of Blind Spot Crashes in Hollywood, FL

Although truck drivers should be aware of their blind spots and take steps to minimize the chance of an accident, blind spot accidents are still common. Considering the vast distance truck drivers cover in a single day, it’s not surprising that lapses in judgment happen. A few of the frequent causes of truck blind spot crashes in Hollywood, FL, include:

• The truck driver does not have the necessary qualifications, experience, or training to avoid a blind-spot accident.
• The truck driver was distracted.
• The truck driver was fatigued.
• The truck was not equipped with mirrors to minimize its blind spots.
• The truck driver did not take the time to align their side-view mirrors properly.
• The truck driver was not watching for other vehicles before the crash.
• The truck driver did not visually check their blind spots before merging or changing lanes.
• The truck driver was impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• The truck was not equipped with accident detection or avoidance systems.

Common Types of Truck Blind Spot Accidents in Hollywood, FL

Blind spots are something that all truck drivers must manage with care. When they don’t, these types of accidents frequently occur on our nation’s highways:

• Sideswipe accidents — If a truck driver does not visually check their blind spots before merging, passing, changing lanes, or turning, they could miss another vehicle in their left-side or right-side blind spot. That can cause the truck to collide with the side of another vehicle.
• Rear-end accidents — A semi-truck takes much longer to bring to a stop than smaller vehicles, so if the truck driver cannot see a vehicle in front of them slowing down, the truck driver might rear-end the other vehicle.
• The truck is rear-ended by another vehicle — If a truck driver suddenly slows down in heavy traffic, anyone directly behind the truck could collide with the truck’s trailer. The truck driver may not even realize another car was directly behind them until the collision has already happened.
• Underride accidents — Other vehicles can become stuck under the body of a truck or its trailer if the truck suddenly slows down or the driver changes lanes without checking their blind spots.

Who Is at Fault for a Truck Accident Caused by a Blind Spot?

The truck driver is most commonly liable for a truck blind spot accident. The truck driver is responsible for minimizing the chance of a blind spot crash by visual checks and being aware of other vehicles around them. If the truck driver failed to notice the other car because they were distracted, impaired, fatigued, reckless, or simply careless, they could be held at fault for the crash.

Sometimes, the trucking company may share liability for a blind spot accident. Trucking companies should ensure drivers have the training and experience necessary to minimize the chance of an accident. If a trucking company does not properly vet a driver or does not monitor the driver for risky behavior, they can be held partially responsible for a crash. The trucking company could also be liable if the trucker were its employee.

How Our Truck Crash Law Firm Helps Accident Victims

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, we can help you find the right doctors or other specialists you need to best treat your injuries. As your case moves forward, we can thoroughly investigate the accident to document all your injuries and determine who is liable for the accident.

Once we have completed our investigation, we will fight aggressively to help you secure as much compensation as possible through an insurance settlement. If the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable offer, we will not be afraid to take your case to court.

Contact Our Experienced Hollywood, FL Truck Accident Lawyer Today

At Rosen & Ohr, PA, you are not just a number. We value your unique needs and goals. Contact us today for a free case review with a Hollywood truck accident attorney.