Blind Spots Are A Big Problem with Big Trucks | KY Truck Accident Lawyers
Big trucks have big blind spots, the areas around a vehicle where the driver cannot see due to the restrictions of mirrors.
As the illustration from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows, the biggest blind spot is on the right side of the truck. This is because American driving wheels are positioned on the left side, restricting a driver’s visibility without the assistance of mirrors.
When we think of semi trucks, we think of the open road and dealing with these behemoths on the highways and interstates. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) cited a 2006 independent study that found that 20% of all large-truck crashes (both fatal and non-fatal) with automobiles are a result of “mirror-relevant crashes,” where the driver has to rely on his mirrors to change lanes, merge, or make right turns.
However, automobiles on highways are not the only victims of blind spot truck accidents. The four most common victims of blind spot truck accidents are:
- Automobiles
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Motorcyclists
The NTSB also analyzed blind spot accidents with pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. While the right side blind spots are the most dangerous on the open road, pedestrians in particular were most susceptible to being hit by a large truck in their front blind spot zone. 60% of pedestrian fatal or nonfatal injuries from truck drivers occurred in the front, with the next most 21% of accidents occurring in the right side blind spot.
For cyclists and motorcyclists, the trend is for the right side to be the most common (40% of cyclist injuries, 30% of motorcyclist injuries), with the front being the second most common (31% and 17% respectively).
Like all trucking accidents, those resulting from collisions from blind spots can be catastrophic or even fatal. The fact that the driver isn’t able to see the car, motorcyclist, pedestrian or cyclist adds a level of danger, because the sheer mass of the truck compared to the victim’s mode of travel means that the driver may not immediately realize he has hit someone.
Common injuries from these types of accidents include:
- Death
- Catastrophic injuries
- Broken bones
- Torn ligaments and joint injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Whiplash
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Paraplegia or Quadriplegia
Options for Truck Blind Spot Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident resulting from a large truck’s blind spot, step 1 is to ensure the victims receive full medical treatment. Some injury symptoms do not immediately appear, so proper monitoring for further symptoms after the event is critical.
This process is incredibly stressful, but you and your family are able to seek compensation for your injuries.
Compensation in these cases may include (but not limited to):
- Past and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Long-term medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional damages
A common misunderstanding in these cases is who is sued for compensation. The driver is “at fault,” but the trucking company has insurance protection, and these cases go up against insurance companies whose sole interest is in minimizing their financial liability.
This is where experience matters.
The Importance of an Experienced KY Trucking Injury Lawyer
Experience matters heavily when trying to receive compensation from an insurance company. The experienced Kentucky truck accident lawyers at Dallas & Turner, PLLC, work regularly with victims of trucking accidents. We are well versed with the tricks and the traps they use to minimize their financial downside.
We also work to make sure you have received full medical treatment, to include any potential longer-term physical therapy that may be required to get you back to feeling as close to normal as possible.
Our experienced attorneys fight tirelessly for our clients, and their wellbeing comes first!
FREE Consultation Within 24 Hours, Guaranteed
If you or a loved one has been injured in a blind spot trucking accident, contact the experienced KY trucking accident attorneys at Dallas & Turner, PLLC, today!
You can call immediately at (859) 630-0666, talk to us via live chat or email us using our FREE online contact form.
We guarantee that we will connect you with an experienced Kentucky injury lawyer within 24 hours for your FREE consultation to help go over the merits of your case. When we sign with injury clients, we don’t get paid until you get paid, so our clients are able to proceed and retain aggressive representation without financial worry.
Don’t hesitate, contact us today!
James Ryan Turner, Experienced Injury Lawyer in Florence, KY
"Blind spots present incredible risks while traveling the highways and interstates. If you have been injured in a blind spot accident, pick up the phone and give us a call today for a free case evaluation."
