Although you may be familiar with your own vehicle’s blind spots, the blind spots on a big-rig truck are larger and much more dangerous. The size and height of a big-rig truck make it impossible for drivers to see cars that may be driving in their “no zone” areas. These no-zone areas are the front, rear, and sides of the truck. If you travel in any of these areas, the likelihood of you being injured in a crash is substantially greater.
What Are Blind Spots?
It can be challenging to know if you are in a truck’s blind spot. One way to determine if you are is by checking the driver’s side mirrors. If you can see the driver’s face, they can see you. Otherwise, you are likely in a blind spot. These are the blind spots you should avoid:
- The front: Cutting in front of a truck is a dangerous move and could result in a fatal accident. If you find yourself in front of a truck, be sure to stay more than 20 feet ahead of it.
- The sides: The sides of a truck are major blind spots, especially on the passenger side of the truck. If you drive in either of these areas, you could get sideswiped, resulting in a catastrophic accident.
- The rear: Unlike other vehicles, trucks do not have a rear-view mirror to look at, which means they essentially have to rely on their side-view mirrors. The rear blind spot of a truck is almost 200 feet long, so it is crucial to leave plenty of space ahead of you if you are driving behind a truck.
Common Injuries Caused by Big-Rig Truck Blind Spots
Blind spot accidents account for about 14% of all big-rig truck accidents. They are frequently caused by the driver’s failure to check their blind spots, poor blind spot education, and not aligning their mirrors before traveling. Those who are involved in truck accidents caused by blind spots often sustain serious or catastrophic injuries, including the following:
- Head and brain injuries: These injuries include traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and contusions. Depending on the severity of these injuries, it could result in several problems, such as depression, memory loss, changes in mood, and intellectual deficiencies.
- Whiplash and neck injuries: These types of injuries could result in headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, numbness, and back pain.
- Spinal cord injuries: When the spinal cord is damaged, it can result in a variety of health consequences, including partial or complete paralysis, bone degeneration, incontinence, and more.
- Fractures: These are some of the most common injuries in a truck accident and, in some cases, require rehabilitation.
- Burns and scars: Severe burn injuries could result in permanent, disfiguring scarring that could substantially impact a person’s life.
Compensation for Your Injuries
If you were injured in a Dallas truck accident caused by blind spots, there are many forms of compensation you could recover, including:
- Medical expenses related to your injuries
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical impairment
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death (if the accident resulted in a fatality)
Reach Out to Our Dallas Truck Accident Lawyers for the Skilled Representation You Deserve
Being involved in a truck accident could change your life if the injuries you sustained were catastrophic. If your accident was caused by the negligence of another party, it is essential to hire a Dallas truck accident attorney with extensive experience in handling these cases. At The Lenahan Law Firm, our knowledgeable personal injury team in Dallas is committed to helping truck accident victims. Let our team fight on your behalf. Call our law office today at (214) 295-1008 to schedule a consultation and get started on your case.