While all vehicles have blind spots, commercial trucks have significantly larger blind spots, often called “no zones.” Because of these blind spots, truck drivers may not see smaller vehicles in front of, behind, or next to their trucks, leading to accidents that the driver could have avoided by taking the proper care.
If you suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by the driver’s inattentiveness to their blind spots, contact Triumph Law Group at 602-595-5559 for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney. Our Phoenix truck accident blind spot attorneys have substantial experience and a track record of success in supporting clients through complex claims and are prepared to fight for the justice you deserve.
Truck Blind Spot Accident Cases We Handle in Phoenix
Truck blind spots can lead to various types of accidents when drivers don’t take the time to properly check them. Some of the most common types of blind spot accidents our lawyers handle in Phoenix include:
- Wide Turn Accidents – Large trucks must swing out to the left before making sharp right turns due to their length. However, if the driver doesn’t check their left-hand blind spot, they could collide with another vehicle while swinging out wide. And if they don’t check their right-hand blind spot after swinging out, they may collide with a vehicle on the right that doesn’t realize they’re turning.
- Lane Change Accidents – Commercial trucks are common on Arizona’s highways. However, truck drivers don’t always check their blind spots when merging onto the highway or changing lanes, which can cause them to squeeze smaller vehicles and collide with them.
- Rear-End Accidents – Trucks that follow other vehicles too closely may have them fully or partially obscured by their front blind spot. This can make it hard for the truck driver to determine the distance between themselves and the leading vehicle, which may result in a rear-end collision.
- Reversing Accidents – One of the significant blind spots on commercial trucks is directly behind the trailer. Truck drivers should make sure that no vehicles or pedestrians are behind them before backing up.
Commercial Truck Blind Spot Statistics
According to a study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers not adequately checking their blind spots and being aware of their surroundings plays a role in 14 percent of truck accidents. Based on recent FMCSA data showing there are about 494,000 truck accidents in a given year, this means roughly 69,000 can be attributed to truck drivers improperly checking their blind spots.
Examples of Truck Accidents Caused by Blind Spots
One of the most common types of blind spot-related truck accidents is when a large truck changes lanes without the driver confirming that a smaller vehicle isn’t alongside them. When this happens, the truck could strike your vehicle, and you could get caught under the trailer. Or the truck could squeeze your vehicle out of your lane, resulting in a collision with roadside barriers or another vehicle.
Another common type of blind spot-related truck accident is when a truck is in a tight area, like a parking lot, and needs to reverse. Truck drivers often assume that there aren’t other vehicles or pedestrians behind them when they begin backing up. Alternatively, they might assume that anyone behind them will see or hear the truck coming. However, they should never assume these things and always have a second person outside the truck to confirm that the coast is clear.
Frequently Asked Questions about Truck Blind Spots
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about truck blind spot accidents, from what a truck’s “no-zones” are to what steps you should take following a collision.
What Are a Truck’s “No-Zones”?
A truck’s blind spots are also called its “no-zones.” They’re called no-zones because they’re areas around commercial trucks that aren’t visible to the driver. However, drivers are still expected to be aware of their surroundings and make sure these zones are clear before taking actions like merging or reversing. The four no-zones on a truck are:
- Front – This is the smallest of the no-zones. The area directly in front of a truck’s cab is not visible to the driver. If a pedestrian walks in front of a truck, the driver may not be able to see them and may begin driving forward before the pedestrian has time to get out of the way.
- Rear – Directly behind a truck’s trailer is another no-zone. A general rule of thumb is that if you are following a truck and cannot see either of its side mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you. However, truck drivers are responsible for making sure there isn’t anyone behind them before they reverse.
- Left-Side – The left-side no-zone is smaller than the right-side no-zone because of the truck driver’s seating position in the cab. This no zone extends from the truck’s windshield to slightly behind the front of its trailer on an angle. Truck drivers must make sure there are no vehicles in this area before merging left.
- Right-Side – The largest no-zone is on the right side of the truck. It extends from the truck’s windshield across the entire lane to the right and all the way back to about eight feet behind the trailer on an angle.
How Does Liability Work for a Truck Blind Spot Accident?
In most no-zone-related truck accidents, the truck driver is primarily at fault and liable for your damages. Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule that allows accident victims to pursue compensation even if they were partially responsible for causing the crash. However, this system also reduces their damages by their degree of fault. This means that if you were 30 percent at fault for the accident, you could only recover 70 percent of your damages.
The truck driver’s insurance company will likely attempt to say that you should have known you were in the truck’s blind spot or that you “suddenly appeared” there as a way to try to reduce its liability. This is why it’s crucial that you work with an experienced truck accident lawyer who can protect your rights and help maximize your compensation.
What Steps Should I Take After Being Injured in a Truck Blind Spot Accident?
After being injured in a truck accident caused by the driver’s negligent checking of their blind spots, you should take the following steps to protect your rights:
- Seek ongoing medical treatment for your injuries until you fully recover or achieve maximum medical improvement.
- Keep track of all medical bills related to the incident.
- Write down everything you remember about the crash and take photographs of your visible injuries.
- Avoid providing a recorded statement to the truck driver’s or trucking company’s insurer. They will try to use your statement against you.
- Contact an experienced attorney who can investigate the incident, negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you in court.
Contact Our Phoenix Truck Accident Blind Spot Lawyers
If you suffered an injury in a Phoenix, Arizona, truck accident caused by the truck driver not being aware of their blind spots, contact Triumph Law Group at 602-595-5559 for a free consultation with a skilled member of our legal team. During your initial consultation, our personal injury lawyers in Phoenix will review the details of your case, explain your options for seeking the compensation you need, and go over how our team will put its years of experience to work for you.
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