Can I File a Truck Accident Lawsuit if I Was Driving in a Blind Spot?
The size and weight of a large truck can create a big impact in a crash, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic personal injuries and costly financial losses. Individuals injured in a truck accident should determine accident liability so appropriate parties can be held accountable for damages.
When a truck accident occurs while a vehicle is driving in a blind spot, involved parties may wonder about the fault. The truck accident attorneys at The Tawwater Law Firm are frequently asked, “Can I file a truck accident lawsuit if I was driving in a blind spot?” Our lawyers work with our Oklahoma City, OK, clients to determine accident liability and pursue compensation for collision damages.
Where Are the Blind Spots Around a Large Truck?
All vehicles have blind spots, areas where other vehicles cannot be seen without checking for them in rearview and side mirrors. Passenger vehicles have small blind spots on either side of the car. Commercial trucks have large trailers that increase the size of the vehicle’s blind spots. Knowing the location of a large truck’s blind spots can help drivers avoid driving in these areas to minimize the risk of a collision.
Drivers should avoid traveling in the “no-zones” of a large truck, which includes:
- 20 feet directly in front of the truck’s cab
- 200 feet extending from the back of the truck’s trailer
- The driver's side of the truck, starting at the side mirror and extending toward the back of the trailer and out one lane
- The passenger side of the truck, starting at the edge of the cab and extending past the back of the trailer and out roughly two lanes
Who Is Liable for Blind Spot Truck Accidents?
When determining liability for blind spot truck accidents, investigators consider many factors. It’s essential to pinpoint the accident’s causation factor, or the key act that caused the collision. If an accident is due to a vehicle traveling in the truck’s blind spot, the truck driver is likely liable.
All drivers are responsible for knowing their vehicle’s blind spots and checking that they are clear before making maneuvers such as lane changes or turns. When truck drivers neglect to check their blind spots or fail to use a turn signal to indicate their intent to turn or switch lanes, they are breaching their duty of care to other drivers on the road.
Truck accident victims in Oklahoma City can file a lawsuit against liable truck drivers or the company that employs them to pursue compensation for damages. Common areas of compensation in a truck accident lawsuit include:
- Medical expenses
- The cost of ongoing medical care or anticipated future medical costs
- Lost wages and diminished wage-earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Can I Be Held Partially Liable?
There are times when multiple factors contribute to a crash. When a driver is partially at fault for a blind spot truck accident, they may be held partially liable for damages. Even if a driver shares liability for a collision, they can still file a lawsuit for damages, provided they are less than 50 percent at fault. In these situations, the amount awarded to the driver is reduced by their percentage of liability. For instance, if an accident causes $100,000 in damages and a driver is found 30 percent liable, they could collect $70,000 ($100,000 minus 30 percent).
Contact Us
Drivers injured in blind spot truck accidents may be due substantial compensation for collision damages. To review your case with a truck accident lawyer at The Tawwater Law Firm in Oklahoma City, message us at your earliest convenience.