Last year, there were over 400,000 truck crashes in the United States, many of which included blind spot accidents. A blind spot is simply the area around a truck that cannot be observed by the driver while they are in control of the vehicle. Blind spots are created by a number of objects and factors including; vehicle design, the windshield, dashboard, weather conditions, location of the mirrors and other features on the truck. Any of these features including having another person riding in the vehicle can cause a blind spot that hinders the driver’s ability to see their surroundings.
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, our truck accident lawyers have a detailed understanding of truck accident laws throughout the state of Connecticut and can help injured victims fight for compensation for damages that occurred during an automobile accident.
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Tips To Avoid Truck Blind Spot Accidents
Typically, people will make the common mistake of thinking that truck drivers have a better view of the road since they are elevated; however, this assumption is hugely incorrect. Truck drivers actually have more blind spots than those driving passenger vehicles due to their increased sized and the dimensions of the huge commercial vehicle.
It is common for most new drivers to fail to recognize truck blind spots, which oftentimes results in a serious crash. By recognizing a truck’s blind spot it will help you to avoid accidents and keep you and your passengers safe.
Some tips to avoid a trucks blind spot include:
- Avoid Tailgating
As we can imagine, there are too many impatient drivers out there who tailgate these trucks even though a trucker’s blind spots are known. This is extremely dangerous because a trucker may need to make a sudden stop or maneuver, which would increase your chance of a rear-end collision. Also, tailgating a truck traveling at high speeds greatly increases the wind resistance on your vehicle and limits your visibility of surrounding traffic. Note: a safe following distance is 20 to 25 feet behind the truck.
- Keep Rear-View Mirrors In Sight
Making sure you can see the truck driver through their rear-view mirrors means that they can also see you. This is a great way to make your presence known and avoid accidents with these enormous vehicles
- Passing In Front of A Truck
When pulling in front of a truck, it is recommended to give plenty of space. Often time’s passenger vehicles believe they have enough space, yet have not accelerated enough.
- Passing A Truck
When passing a truck we always want to avoid passing on the right side. This is because the truck’s blind spots extend the full length of the trailer and out an entire three lanes. It is best to properly signal and pass trucks quickly to avoid the “no zone” area. Also, it takes around 25 seconds to pass a truck and most cars will also experience turbulence.
- Avoid The Right Side
When a truck is making a right-hand turn it requires a wide area to complete the turn, this also may require the truck to take an extra lane. If it is clear that a truck is making a right-hand turn DO NOT attempt to try and pass the truck on the right side because the truck driver CAN NOT see you.
Recognizing all of a truck’s blind spots will help to improve your driving skills and greatly reduce your chances of being involved in a large vehicle accident. Also, make sure to use your horn if you believe a truck has not recognized you for any reason.
Common Types Of Blind Spot Injuries
Many times blind spot accidents may be unavoidable and may result in serious injuries due to the enormous size difference of a truck and a passenger vehicle. A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, whereas the average passenger vehicle weighs around 3,000 pounds. As we can imagine the result of these accidents can cause an immense amount of damage and can cause life-changing injuries.
Some common types of blind spot injuries include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Burns and lacerations
- Concussion injuries
- Facial injuries
- Orthopedic problems
- Passenger injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash injuries
In some cases, the accident victims may be faced with enormous medical expenses, long term rehabilitation, and mental fatigue as a result of the accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident and is suffering from an injury, the victim may be entitled to compensation for their losses.
Our Auto Accident Lawyers Can Help You
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we have years of experience in truck accident litigation. Our personal injury attorneys have spent years learning the ins and outs of truck laws, as outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The complexities involved in a typical truck crash are widespread. As such, utilizing the knowledge and expertise of a Connecticut auto accident attorney is crucial.
We have offices in New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, Waterbury and New London, and serve clients throughout Connecticut. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident due to the negligence of another driver, our truck accident lawyers can help. Contact us at 800-PERKINS to find out more.
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