Blind Spots

All vehicles have blind spots, but characteristics of large trucks result in larger blind spots and blind spots in more areas. This increases the risk of trucking collisions.

Trucking accident reconstruction is yet another complexity in representing victims and their families. Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, utilizes a network of in-house legal professionals and outside experts to investigate your truck accident claim.

For more than four decades, victims of truck collisions have turned to us for help making their case. If you or a loved one has been hurt, Call today at 800-646-1210 to schedule your free consultation. Our trucking accident attorneys represent clients from offices throughout Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples and Port Charlotte.

Many trucking accidents involve out-of-state trucking companies, drivers and their insurance companies. Accident victims must know their law firm has the knowledge, experience and resources to determine fault and pursue those responsible for compensation.

Blind Spots and Truck Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published a report about blind spots and accident risks. According to the report, the “blind spots of a truck, i.e. the areas where the truck driver suffers impaired field of view, are considerably greater” when compared to the blind spots on a car.

The danger of truck blind spots is compounded by the fact that truck drivers sit up much higher than the driver of a car. The eyes of a trucker are estimated as being 2.5 meters above the road surface. This results in numerous blind spots or dead angles in front of the truck, as well as adjacent to and behind the vehicle.

Since 1994, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has run a public-service campaign intended to educate the public about “no zones” or the areas where truckers cannot see. The FMCSA warns:

• If you cannot see the truck driver’s face in the side-view mirror, the truck driver cannot see you on the sides of his vehicle.
• Trucks do not have center rear-view mirrors and cannot see vehicles directly behind them, so drivers should not get behind a truck that is backing up or follow too closely behind a truck.
• Trucks have a long stopping distance and cannot see vehicles directly to the front, so drivers should not pass and pull in front of a truck unless they can see the whole front of the truck in their rear-view mirror.
• Trucks make wide right turns and can’t see people to the side, so drivers should avoid trying to squeeze in between a truck and the curb.

While drivers need to be aware of truck blind spots, truckers also need to know their vehicles and ensure they are driving safely and properly accounting for areas they cannot see..

Help After SWFL Trucking Accidents

Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured can help victims to investigate the accident, put together evidence of cause of the crash and make a claim for truck accident compensation. Call today at 800-646-1210 to schedule a free consultation or contact us online to learn more.