Determining Fault When a Driver Causes a Truck Blind Spot Accident
Commercial 18-wheelers have massive areas around the vehicle where the driver simply cannot see smaller cars in their mirrors. These areas are officially known as "No Zones." When a truck driver changes lanes without properly checking these zones, they can easily sideswipe or crush a passenger vehicle.
If you were hit while driving alongside a semi, the insurance company will aggressively fight your claim. Winning a truck blind spot accident case requires proving that the commercial driver failed to take the necessary, legally required precautions before moving.
A truck's blind spots exist directly in front of the cab (up to 20 feet), directly behind the trailer (up to 30 feet), one lane to the left, and two lanes wide on the right side. The right side is notoriously the most dangerous blind spot on the vehicle.
How Truck Drivers Overcome Blind Spots
Because they cannot rely on standard mirrors, commercial drivers are trained to use specific techniques to avoid crushing smaller cars. If they fail to use these tools, they are legally liable:
Modern trucks are equipped with specialized hood-mounted fender mirrors and side-facing cameras. Your lawyer will investigate if these devices were broken, poorly angled, or if the trucking company simply refused to install them to save money.
CDL manuals require drivers to physically lean forward and backward in their seats to change the angle of their mirrors before merging. A fatigued or distracted driver often skips this vital step.
A truck must activate its turn signal long before executing a lane change to warn drivers in the blind spot. Dashcam footage can prove if the trucker merged abruptly without signaling.
Defeating the Blame Game
The insurance adjuster will inevitably claim that you were "lingering" in the blind spot and therefore caused your own injuries. An aggressive attorney will use black box data and traffic cameras to prove that you were driving safely and legally when the commercial driver carelessly merged into your lane.