Have You Been Involved in a Blind Spot Truck Accident in New York?
You may be entitled to seek compensation if you are the victim of a blind spot truck accident in New York. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, we are experienced NYC truck accident attorneys who are able to investigate your claim. We believe that you should not have to bear the costs of an accident alone. Call us at (212) 986-7353 to get your claim started today.
What Is a Blind Spot?
Accidents involving big rig trucks are hazardous for all road users, due to the sheer size of trucks compared with standard passenger vehicles. In truck accidents, occupants of other vehicles sustain almost three-quarters of the deaths and injuries. Because of a truck's vast size and weight, it operates differently on the roads making it prone to catastrophic accidents in New York.
It is important that truck drivers are able to factor in extra driving requirements when operating a truck. A major hazard that both truck drivers and other vehicle occupants must keep in mind is the truck’s blind spot. Despite being trained to navigate blind spots, truckers and other drivers often overlook the issue—resulting in a high number of truck accident injuries and fatalities on the roads of New York.
A blind spot is an area surrounding a vehicle that cannot be observed by the driver, meaning the driver is unable to see other vehicles in their mirrors. In most passenger vehicles, the blindspot is located at a 45-degree angle behind the driver. In most situations, a driver will be able to turn their head and assess oncoming traffic. The hazard is worse in large commercial trucks as truck drivers are often unable to directly view traffic to their front, back, or on either side.
What Blindspots Do Trucks Have?
In a truck, the blindspot can extend the whole length of the truck and result in a lack of view through multiple lanes of traffic. The blindspots that trucks have include:
The front of the truck
Semi-trailer trucks can often have blind spots in the front, which can potentially extend at least 20 feet in front. Due to this lack of visibility, semi-trailer trucks are prone to causing rear-end accidents. There is also the possibility of a T-bone accident, which can happen when a vehicle swerves from a truck’s side blind spot to the front blind spot.
The back of the truck
There is a large blind spot behind the truck, which can extend to around 30 feet. Some trucks have signage warning road users that the driver cannot see them if they cannot see the truck’s side mirrors.
On the left and right sides of the truck
On the left side of the truck, a blindspot spans the length of the truck. This blind spot tends to extend outward for one lane but can extend further on larger trucks. On the passenger or right side of the truck, there is a larger blind spot that can extend out across three lanes of traffic. These blind spots can cause sideswipe accidents when a truck makes a lane change or emergency maneuver.
What Precautions Should I Take When Driving Alongside Trucks?
Despite being trained to use extreme caution, truck drivers often don’t look out for other vehicles on the road. If you are driving alongside a large truck, there are several precautions you can take to safely operate on the roads. These include:
- Avoid following a truck too closely
- Use caution and leave extra room when moving in front of a truck
- Stay out of a blind spot if possible
- Signal your next move as early as possible
- Report dangerous truck drivers
Get in Contact with Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a blind spot accident in New York City, you should seek out a truck accident attorney immediately. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, we can investigate your accident to gather the evidence to support your case. We can get you on your road to recovery by fighting for the compensation that you deserve. You should not have to bear the costs of a truck accident alone. Call us at (212) 986-7353 today to get your claim started.