Truck Blind Spot Accidents in Wadesboro

Any traffic accident can be destructive, but collisions involving tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks tend to be particularly catastrophic. When truck drivers neglect the enormous blind spots around their vehicles, nearby motorists can suffer devastating rear- or side-impact collisions. 

If you were injured in a truck blind spot accident in Wadesboro, NC, you could be entitled to compensation. The experienced attorneys at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, have generations of experience serving the people of Anson County, and we’re ready to fight on your behalf. 

Contact us today to learn more about your legal options in a free initial consultation with a truck blind spot accident lawyer in Wadesboro, NC.

Where Are Truckers’ Blind Spots Located?

Every driver contends with blind spots, but the blind spots around a semi-truck are especially large. The length of the trailer and the height of the cab combine to hide large portions of the truck and the road around it from its driver. Even specialized mirrors cannot fully overcome a truck’s blind spots. It’s entirely possible for one or more cars to go unnoticed in a truck’s blind spots.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) refers to a large truck’s blind spots as “no zones,” which are located:

• Directly in front of the truck’s cab – The semi-truck cab is tall enough to prevent the driver from seeing objects directly in front of and below the hood.
• Below and behind the driver’s side window – Drivers typically cannot see objects located just below and behind the driver’s-side windows on a truck’s cab. This blind spot is large enough to obscure an entire lane of traffic.
• Behind the right side of the cab, extending back to the end of the trailer – The area behind the passenger-side windows of a truck’s cab is an even larger blind spot since drivers sit on the left. The no zone can hide two whole lanes.
• Directly behind the truck’s cab or trailer – Most large trucks do not have interior rear-view mirrors, so a driver is typically unable to see objects up to 30 feet behind them.

Common Causes of Blind Spot Truck Accidents

Commercial drivers undergo rigorous testing and training to learn how to operate large vehicles. They understand the risks associated with their vehicles’ substantial blind spots and are responsible for minding these no zones at all times. Unfortunately, some drivers engage in negligent behavior that can lead to blind spot truck accidents, such as:

• Distracted driving – Truck drivers who are absorbed in communication devices, food, drink, or other distractions have less attention to watch blind spots and are more likely to cause accidents.
• Driving under the influence – A commercial driver who operates a truck after using alcohol or drugs can have an impaired ability to monitor their blind spots and operate their vehicle safely.
• Drowsy driving – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a driver with 24 hours of sleep deprivation is just as impaired as a driver with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit.
• Reckless driving – Truck drivers who engage in speeding, lane weaving, tailgating, or other reckless behaviors have less time to register other vehicles in their blind spots or react in time to prevent collisions.

Common Accidents Caused by Truck Blind Spots in Wadesboro, NC

When commercial drivers fail to monitor their blind spots properly, they risk causing or contributing to traffic accidents such as:

• Sideswipe accidents – If a truck driver neglects to check both sides of their rig before executing a turn or merge, they can miss vehicles in left- or right-hand no zones, leading to a devastating sideswipe impact.
• T-bone collisions – If a negligent truck driver fails to check their front- and side-facing blind spots before proceeding through an intersection, they risk broadsiding or T-boning smaller vehicles crossing their path.
• Underride accidents – An underride accident is one where a smaller vehicle gets wedged in the space between a truck’s trailer and the road. A negligent truck driver can cause an underride accident if they fail to check their blind spots before turning or merging alongside smaller vehicles.
• Rear-end collisions – A rear-end blind spot accident can occur in two ways. If a smaller vehicle hidden in a truck’s front no zone abruptly slows or stops, a speeding, tailgating, or distracted truck driver may be unable to stop in time to prevent a collision. If another vehicle is in a truck’s rear no zone when the truck abruptly slows or stops, the other driver could collide with the rear end of the truck.

How Truckers Can Prevent Blind Spot Accidents

The FMCSA provides the following safety tips to help truckers prevent blind spot wrecks:

• Know where your vehicle’s no zones are and be aware of them at all times.
• Always drive defensively by keeping your distance from other vehicles, maintaining a safe speed for conditions, and remaining alert.
• Scan the road far enough ahead to allow time to respond to changes in traffic flow or road conditions in advance.
• Check your mirrors regularly, at least once every five to eight seconds, and any time you intend to merge, turn, or change lanes.
• Approach and travel through all intersections with extra caution.

You can also take steps to avoid truck accidents by being mindful of truck blind spots. Remember that if you can’t see a truck’s mirrors, the driver can’t see you.

How Our Wadesboro Truck Blind Spot Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, our Wadesboro injury attorneys can help you after a blind spot truck accident by:

• Answering your questions, evaluating your case, and providing legal advice
• Conducting an independent investigation of the truck accident
• Securing difficult-to-find evidence, such as employment records and black box data
• Communicating with insurance and trucking industry representatives on your behalf
• Negotiating aggressively to maximize the value of your injury settlement
• Taking your case to trial, if the other side refuses to agree to a fair settlement

Talk to Our Wadesboro Truck Wreck Lawyers Today

When you need professional legal support after a truck accident in Wadesboro, contact the team at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC. We look forward to answering your questions during a free initial consultation and learning more about how we can help.