Large Truck Blind Spots 101

By Grant Law Office on February 5, 2023

Blind spots are areas around a vehicle that the driver cannot see in rear view or side mirrors. Large commercial trucks have gigantic blind spots, also known as “no zones.” Truckers have a responsibility to check their spots carefully, using other means than mirrors, to avoid causing deadly accidents.

Where Are a Truck’s Blind Spots Located?

A big rig has blind spots on all four sides. They are located:

• Directly in front of the cab, extending for approximately 20 feet
• Directly behind the trailer, extending approximately 30 feet from the rear of the truck
• Along the driver’s side of the truck and trailer, extending outward
• Along the passenger side, beginning at the edge of the cab, extending back and outward for the length of the truck, and spanning approximately three lanes

The largest no zone is on the right side of the truck. Drivers should avoid passing trucks on the right for that reason.

What Types of Truck Accidents Do Blind Spots Cause?

Deadly truck accidents can occur when truckers fail to check their blind spots. The most common types of blind spot-related truck crashes are rear-end collisions and side swipe accidents. A truck driver who cannot see a car in front of the truck may collide with the rear of the smaller vehicle. When a car is in a truck’s rear blind spot, the truck driver may stop suddenly, causing the vehicle behind to collide with the rear of the truck. A trucker changing lanes may fail to see another vehicle in the new lane. When this happens, the truck can strike the side of the smaller vehicle, sending it off the road or into another lane of traffic.

How Common Are Truck Blind Spot Collisions?

“Inadequate surveillance” is the term used to describe a truck driver’s failure to look carefully to ensure it is safe to complete a maneuver, such as changing lanes or executing turns at intersections. Trucker inadequate surveillance causes 14% of all large truck crashes, as stated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The agency cautions truck drivers to be aware of their no zones and to be vigilant in watching for vehicles. Truckers should know that some of their blind spots are large enough for a passenger vehicle to disappear from view.

What Types of Injuries Do Truck Blind Spot Accidents Cause?

In a collision between a 4,000 pound passenger vehicle and an 80,000 pound semi-truck, passenger vehicle occupants are likely to suffer serious injuries. Common truck accident injuries include:

• Head and brain injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injury
• Bone fractures
• Dislocations
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Severe lacerations
• Severe burns

What Types of Compensation Are Available for Truck Blind Spot Accidents?

If you have been injured in a collision with a large commercial truck because the driver failed to adequately check blind spots, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation. Potentially liable parties may include the truck driver and the trucking company that hired the driver. Depending on the circumstances, damages in such a claim may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages or earnings
• Loss of future earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Permanent disability
• Scarring and disfigurement

After a serious truck accident, your best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve is to have an experienced lawyer handling your case. Our Atlanta truck accident attorneys at Grant Law Office have been advocating for injury victims for more than 30 years. Contact us at (404) 995-3955 to schedule a free consultation. We can tell you if you have a case and what damages you may be entitled to claim.