Every vehicle has blind spots, and it is expected that the individual operating the vehicle is aware of these blind spots and that they take the necessary precautions in order to make certain that they do not cause an accident while turning or changing lanes because they missed something in the blind spot. All other drivers on the road who are operating within the traffic laws have a reasonable expectation that the vehicles around them are aware of these blind spots, and that before someone decides to make a move in their direction they are sure that they will not collide with another vehicle. Unfortunately, there are many times when this is not the case and an accident is caused.
Read more below to get an idea of some common examples of blind spot accidents and how these accidents happen. Contact us now to be connected with an experienced car accident attorney who is ready to take your case, so that you can focus on recovery and getting your life back on track with the confidence that your legal team is doing everything they can to maximize your chances of getting a fair and reasonable settlement for your suffering and damages.
WHAT IS A BLIND SPOT?
Nearly all vehicles allowed on public roadways have side and/or rearview mirrors in order to give the driver a near-complete view of everything around their vehicle. However, there are areas around the car where the driver is unable to see because the mirrors do not point in that direction, and there are no cameras that fill in the gaps. It makes sense that the larger the vehicle, the larger the blind spot. This means that a tractor-trailer has a significantly larger blind spot than a passenger vehicle.
Commercial vehicles typically have signage warning other drivers about their blind spots, advising that they keep a minimum distance from the back of the truck in order to ensure that the driver sees them. These are helpful, but they are not a guarantee that an accident will be avoided. Additionally, a passenger vehicle’s blind spots may be small enough that it is less likely for them to miss another car or truck (although still very possible), but easy for the driver to lose a motorcycle in their blind spot. The most common blind spot accident for any vehicle is a sideswipe crash, since these types of accidents generally, but not always, involve a vehicle changing lanes or turning.
TRUCK BLIND SPOT ACCIDENTS
The size difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle is a major factor in the possibility of significant damage in a collision between the two, and if you are involved in a crash with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, the experience can be as terrifying as it is dangerous. Being sideswiped by a massive truck in a much smaller car can cause significant damage to your vehicle and catastrophic personal injuries. After you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, you will need to file a claim with a commercial insurance company.
Commercial insurance policies are often in excess of $1 million, and the claims process can be incredibly frustrating and complex because of the amount of information required. The insurance company will be actively trying to identify any possible way that they can place some of the responsibility on you, which will, in turn, reduce the amount they need to pay out. A seasoned personal injury lawyer understands their tactics and will counter with their own aggressive negotiations in order to get you the money you truly deserve.
PASSENGER VEHICLE BLIND SPOT ACCIDENTS
As mentioned above, passenger vehicles have smaller blind spots than commercial trucks, but that does not mean that they are immune to these types of accidents. While many blind spot accidents are the result of carelessness or a lack of attention, they may also be honest mistakes or the result of an abnormally-large blind spot for the size of the vehicle. Additionally, motorcycles are at a greater risk of being involved in these types of crashes, simply because they take up much less visual space and can be lost inside a much smaller blind spot.
Whether you were in a car, truck, or motorcycle and were struck in an accident due to you being in a blind spot, you can be sure that the other insurance company will try to find a way to show that you have comparative negligence, and therefore deserve less money for your claim. This is only one of the reasons why working with an attorney is the best way to make sure that your situation is handled properly, and that you get the money you truly deserve without taking on the added burden of trying to navigate the process on your own.
CONTACT US TODAY
The sooner you have a lawyer on your side to help you file a claim, handle negotiations, or file a lawsuit on your behalf, the more time you will have to focus on your own personal recovery without the additional stress. Contact 1-800-Injured now to be connected a lawyer that can handle your legal requirements.