Blind Spots and Big Rigs—How to Avoid a Sideswipe Collision

Because of their dimensions, large trucks and buses have a few operational limitations that smaller passenger vehicles do not. It is essential for noncommercial drivers to keep these limitations in mind, though, because it is ultimately up to them to navigate safely around big rigs in traffic.

Blind spots, or “No Zones,” are one of the most significant limitations of 18-wheelers. Commercial drivers have reduced visibility on all four sides of their vehicle, and motorists who travel in these blind spots or simply assume a trucker has seen them before changing lanes are at serious risk of causing an accident.

Unfortunately, when sideswipe collisions occur in heavy traffic, the impact is rarely contained to just two vehicles. If you were involved in a truck crash because another motorist failed to account for a commercial driver’s blind spots, turn to the Cooper Law Firm.

Taking immediate action allows a lawyer to investigate the circumstances of the incident thoroughly while all of the evidence is still available. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with a truck accident attorney in Tyler.

Read on to learn how you can avoid sideswipe collisions when traveling near tractor-trailers in traffic:

1. Stay out of the Trucker’s Blind Spots

The single most effective way to ensure commercial drivers see you is by staying out of their blind spots entirely. The motorist of a standard 18-wheeler has limited visibility in the following areas:

• 30 feet behind the truck;
• Two lanes to the right for the length of the vehicle;
• One lane to the left for about half the length of the vehicle; and
• 20 feet in front of the truck.

2. Change Lanes Gradually 

When changing lanes, check your own blind spots, use your turn signals, and do not pull in front of a big rig if you will have to decelerate rapidly immediately after doing so. Trucks require considerably more stopping distance than passenger vehicles, and cutting off commercial drivers is a surefire way to cause a devastating rear-end collision.

3. Pass with Caution

If you must pass an 18-wheeler in traffic, wait until the conditions are just right for doing so. First, confirm that the truck’s turn signals are not flashing.

Then, maintain a constant speed that is safe for the conditions, and pass with care. Avoid making such a maneuver if you will be stuck in the trucker’s blind spot for an extended period of time because of heavy congestion.

4. Make Eye Contact

If you cannot see the trucker in the cab or in the vehicle’s mirrors, the trucker cannot see you. Try to make eye contact or at least get a visual on the driver before making any kind of maneuver around an 18-wheeler in traffic.

Sadly, even if you follow all of the tips above, you could still end up in a wreck because someone nearby you did not. If you were hurt in a truck crash caused by a reckless passenger-vehicle motorist or commercial driver, turn to the Cooper Law Firm. Our legal team is here to help people put their lives back together after serious collisions.

Contact us online or call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Tyler. You can learn more about truck crash claims in Texas by visiting truck-accident.usattorneys.com/texas.

 

Cooper Law Firm

501 N Third Street

Longview, TX 75601

903-297-0037