Blind Spots on a Tractor Trailer

Tractor trailers are huge vehicles. It may come as no surprise that they have a few large blind spots that extend several feet each. This makes it extremely difficult for smaller vehicles to drive around them and not enter one of these blind spots.

If you enter a semi-truck’s blind spot, the truck driver will not be able to see you, which can lead to a dangerous truck accident if they decide to stop, turn, switch lanes, or make any other sudden maneuvers.

What is a blind spot?

Every type of vehicle has blind spots. However, what makes blind spots on trucks different from other vehicles is that they are very big and can cause serious visibility issues for truck drivers. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), blind spots are “any areas around a vehicle that a driver cannot easily see.” It is crucial that all truck drivers undergo specific training to learn how to share the roads with other drivers and be aware of their blind spots at all times.

What are the four most common blind spots on a truck?

Semi-trucks have four main blind spots. These blind spots include:

1. The front: The blind spot located in front of the semi-truck is usually the most surprising to other drivers. This is because they typically assume that a truck driver can clearly see them if they are driving in front of their vehicle. However, this blind spot extends to about 20 feet from the front of the truck, which means that the trucker cannot see you if you are close to their front bumper. When a semi-truck is stuck in slow or stopped traffic, it can be difficult for them to see whether a vehicle is directly in front of their truck, which can cause an accident.
2. The back: The back of a semi-truck consists of a very big blind spot that extends around 200 feet from its rear end. This blind spot can be very dangerous for vehicles that tailgate or follow too closely. Every semi-truck is equipped with mirrors that allow the truck driver to see the left and right side of the rear area, but these mirrors do not allow them to see the area directly behind the trailer. When drivers are coasting behind a semi-truck, they must remember that the truck driver cannot see at least 200 feet behind the trailer portion of their vehicle.
3. The driver’s side: The driver’s side blind spot is located along the area next to where the truck driver sits. This blind spot extends from the cab portion of the vehicle all the way back to the trailer, which makes it very challenging for truck drivers to see other drivers who are traveling beside them. If you are in the lane next to the driver’s side of a truck and they put their left turn signal on to switch lanes, there is a strong possibility that you are in their blind spot and they cannot see you.
4. The passenger side: The blind spot on the passenger side of a semi-truck is the most dangerous. The reason for this is that this blind spot is the largest and can extend a few lanes over. If you are driving directly next to the right side of the semi-truck or even two lanes over, you should keep in mind that you are most likely invisible to the truck driver, which can put you at risk of an accident.

Who can be held responsible if injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer in Vancouver, WA?

There are several different parties that can be held responsible if injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer in Vancouver, WA. To make sure that you do not overlook a potentially liable party, you should strongly consider hiring a truck accident attorney. They will evaluate your claim, conduct an investigation, determine who is at fault, and fight for your right to the compensation you deserve. A few of the parties that may be responsible for your truck accident include:

• The truck driver: Truck drivers are often found responsible for truck accidents if they make a mistake or error that leads to a crash. That means if a truck driver failed to check their blind spots and caused an accident, they could be liable.
• The trucking company: The trucking company could be held responsible if they did not provide adequate training to the truck driver before they drove on their own, which led to the accident. Trucking companies can also be found liable if they hire an inexperienced or unlicensed truck driver who causes an accident.
• Cargo loaders: If your accident was caused by the truck driver experiencing an issue with their load, the cargo loaders could be responsible. Cargo loaders are hired to make sure that all truck loads are evenly distributed, secure, and attached before the truck driver leaves the lot.
• Manufacturers: If it is determined that your accident occurred due to an issue with the semi-truck, its trailer, or even a small part of the vehicle, the manufacturer could be legally responsible.
• Road owners or maintenance crews: Road owners or maintenance crews are required to make sure that the roads are clear and safe to drive on. If your truck accident happened due to a road issue, you may be able to hold the road owners or maintenance crews liable.
• Truck mechanics: Truck mechanics are another potentially liable party in truck accidents. This is because these professionals are responsible for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining semi-trucks. If they did not perform their necessary duties and the truck experienced an issue that can be connected to the truck mechanic, they may be held liable for your accident.

Four safety tips for motorists driving around tractor-trailers

Since you likely share the road with tractor-trailers, it is important to know how to drive around them and avoid a blind spot accident. To help you out, here are four safety tips you should keep in mind:

1. Never cut a tractor-trailer off: Remember that if you jump in front of or cut a tractor-trailer off, they most likely will not see you directly in front of them. This can make it very difficult for them to slow down or stop, as they will not know whether they have enough space to do so.
2. Give tractor-trailers plenty of room and space: When driving in front of or behind a tractor-trailer, you should always make sure that they have plenty of room and space. You never want to be too close to a tractor-trailer as their blind spots are very large, preventing them from seeing you.
3. Use caution if you are next to or behind a tractor-trailer: If you drive next to or behind a large truck, there is a good chance that you are in one of the driver’s blind spots, which puts you at risk of an accident. When it is safe to do so, it is a good idea to pass the truck or allow it to go around you.
4. Be very careful when passing a tractor-trailer: If you are ready to pass a tractor-trailer, you should do so very carefully. Make sure you are alert, paying attention, and keep a close eye on the tractor-trailer as you go past or around them.

Have you recently been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler? If so, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Vancouver, WA, truck accident lawyers at Philbrook Law Office at your earliest opportunity. We know how traumatic and devastating these accidents can be, which is why we are dedicated to guiding and supporting you every step of the way through the legal process. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation case review to get started today. We have offices in Battle Ground, Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR.