Avoiding Truck Blindspots to Prevent Accidents

If you own a sedan or SUV, getting into an accident with a truck or any other large vehicle can be a daily worry. And it’s a valid worry. A total of 2,734 truck accidents occurred in the United States in 2019, and among those, Texas was the most dangerous state for these collisions. 

Big trucks, such as 18-wheelers, are unsafe due to their massive blind spots, size, and cargo. All these factors combine to increase the likelihood of truck accidents, especially with sedans and other smaller automobiles causing victims to look for a winning trucking injury attorney. 

Blind spots, also known as “no-zones,” are areas where commercial trucks have the least visibility. As the owner of a smaller vehicle, you must know these blind spots and avoid them. 

What Are the Blind Spots for a Big Rig?

A truck crash is a potentially fatal accident. Over 3,000 people lost their lives in truck accidents, according to a report the FMCSA released in 2020. And in scenarios where it isn’t fatal, the injuries are usually severe, especially if either the big truck or small car is traveling at high speeds. 

To avoid these sorts of occurrences, you need to know a big truck’s blind spots. Also, always remind yourself that if you can’t see the driver’s face in their side mirror, they probably won’t see you either. If you or someone you know had a family member who was fatally killed in a blind spot wreck, don’t hesitate to contact a Best West Houston negligent death lawyer now.

Most commercial trucks have three “no zones”: 

• Front Blindspots: The front of a commercial truck, about 20-ft (ca. 6 m) from the engine, is the first blind spot. When your car is in this spot, it disappears from the trucker’s view. 
• Side Blindspots: Due to these big trucks’ height and size, they have massive “no zones” on both sides that stretch to the vehicle’s back. You could get sideswiped because the driver can’t see your car. The blind spot on the right side is also the most dangerous, especially when the trucker makes a right-hand turn. 
• Rear Blindspot: Driving behind a big rig is a terrible driving error. Trucks have no rearview mirror, so the drivers depend on the side mirrors when checking for surrounding cars. The rear blindspot stretches as far as 200-ft behind the vehicle. 

How to Avoid a Truck Wreck

The side-view mirror of a truck is about 25 inches (0.64 m) long. Despite this, truckers barely see other drivers around them, especially if the motorist is driving in one of the blindspots. 

Here are a couple of ways to avoid a truck’s blindspot:

• Never drive behind a commercial truck.
• Do not drive in the blind spots on the sides.
• Always check if you can see the trucker’s face before trying to pass them. 
• When trying to overtake a big rig, pass on the left — never the right side. 
• Give at least 250ft of room when behind the truck.

Best West Houston Truck Injury Lawyer Near You

Call an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers in West Houston

These tips can prevent a truck crash from occurring, but it can’t prevent all of these accidents from happening. If you have been in a truck accident, you can call a good West Houston vehicle collision lawyer at The Stephens Law Firm to help. Our team offers free consultations, where we explain your legal rights and options.