Blind Spot Truck Accidents in Columbia
Because of how motor vehicles are designed and built, every car and truck of every size has “blind spots” around it where the driver cannot easily see other people, obstacles, and even entire vehicles near them. Given their massive width and length, the blind spots on commercial vehicles are bigger than those for virtually any other street-legal vehicle—and unfortunately, truck drivers who fail to check their blind spots before turning or switching lanes often end up causing catastrophic accidents.
When you are hurt in a blind spot truck accident in Columbia, proving someone else liable for your crash-related losses may be much more complex and challenging of a process than you would expect. Fortunately, obtaining a favorable result from a lawsuit or settlement demand built around this kind of incident could be much easier with support from a dedicated tractor-trailer accident lawyer who has experience handling—and winning—similar cases in the past.
How Big Are a Tractor-Trailer’s Blind Spots?
The average tractor-trailer has blind spots on all four sides, typically with the following approximate dimensions:
- At least 20 feet ahead of the cab’s front bumper
- At least 30 feet behind the trailer’s rear bumper
- A triangle one traffic lane wide stretching from under the driver’s side cab door to the end of the trailer
- A triangle two traffic lanes wide stretching from under the passenger side cab door to about 10 feet past the end of the trailer
Every blind spot is big enough to hide an entire commuter car—and sometimes more than one car—from the view of a truck driver, making them exceptionally dangerous places to be while traveling on a highway or even on slower urban or rural streets. While most modern semi-trucks have oversized mirrors as well as advanced safety features like collision detection cameras to help minimize the risk of crashes, blind spot semi crashes are all too common in Columbia and around Missouri.
Establishing Legal Fault for a Blind Spot Truck Wreck
Just like those operating smaller cars and trucks, tractor-trailer drivers have a legal “duty” to drive responsibly and act reasonably at all times while behind the wheel, and that “duty” includes an expectation that they regularly check their blind spots using mirrors and any other safety devices at their disposal before changing lanes, merging on or off of a highway, or making a turn at an intersection. Any semi driver whose failure to check their blind spots is the direct and primary cause of a traffic accident resulting in your injuries has met the “negligence” criteria, making them or their employer civilly liable for your losses.
Importantly, though, commuter car drivers are also expected to know where the blind spots of other drivers are and to make a reasonable effort to stay out of those blind spots whenever possible. As a result, any person found partially responsible for causing a tractor-trailer crash in Columbia because they were coasting inside the trucker’s blind spot or doing something else irresponsible might end up missing out on compensation due to their “comparative fault” for their own injuries.
An Attorney in Columbia Could Help After a Blind Spot Truck Accident
Even when it seems evident that a long-haul trucker is the one to blame for injuring you, proving that they directly caused your injuries by not checking their blind spots can be far from simple. Fortunately, assistance is available from skilled legal professionals who can fight tenaciously to protect your rights and pursue the restitution you deserve.
After a blind spot truck accident in Columbia, contacting a legal representative to discuss your legal options should be among your top priorities. Call the Law Offices of Chris Miller today to schedule a meeting.