“They were in my blind spot.”
At Christensen Law, that’s the defense we often hear from truckers, truck companies, and their insurers when we represent clients hurt in horrific tractor-trailer collisions. Our injury lawyers have one response to that argument: “Not good enough.”
There’s no question that 18-wheelers are large, cumbersome vehicles with limited visibility. That’s why federal laws require commercial drivers to receive extra training and special licensure before hitting the roads. And one of a trucker’s basic driving duties is always to check their surroundings before maneuvering. When they fail in this obligation, the collisions they cause aren’t due to a blind spot — they’re due to negligence.
Truck accidents are often devastating — particularly for the occupants of the vehicles they strike. If you’ve been hurt, you shouldn’t be denied compensation based on a blind-spot defense. Here, our Ann Arbor truck accident lawyers break down the myths about truck blind spot accidents and why you deserve more than a wishy-washy excuse for your injuries.
Are Truck Blind Spots Real?
Truck blind spots are real. They occur along both sides of a truck, behind the cab, and directly in front of the engine. Cars traveling in these areas are difficult for truck drivers to see.
However, the existence of blind spots doesn’t mean that truckers can get away with hitting you. If they don’t check their blind spots before merging, passing, or backing up, they can be held liable for any crashes and injuries that occur.
The Truth About Truck Blind Spots
After being hit by a truck, its insurance company may try the blind-spot defense to justify a lowball settlement offer. But that is not a valid argument. As one British truck driver told Forbes magazine, “It’s not a blind spot, it’s a fail-to-look spot.”
Here’s the truth: Truckers and truck companies can take numerous safety measures to reduce the chances of a so-called truck blind spot accident. Just look at these suggestions from Truckers Report.
Drivers can reduce the chances of a crash by:
- Adjusting the position of mirrors to provide the best possible visibility on the road.
- Installing extra mirrors. Adding mirrors on both sides of the truck’s hood can narrow the size of all blind spots. Putting folding side mirrors can reduce blind spots on the left and right sides of the rig. A second mirror on the passenger side can help truckers see passing cars.
- Going high-tech. A wide range of accessories are available to help truckers detect nearby vehicles, including audible warning signals, back-up sensors, wide-angle cameras, and fish-eye mirrors.
Clearly, a little effort can go a long way toward accident prevention. “They were in my blind spot” just doesn’t apply.
But beware: The insurance company will use every tool in its arsenal to reduce or deny your claim. Consulting with an experienced truck accident attorney before starting settlement talks is the best way to protect your rights to compensation.
Contact Our Ann Arbor Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Christensen Law is an accomplished Michigan personal injury law firm. Our truck accident attorneys work tirelessly on behalf of injured Michiganders just like you, and our track record for successful truck accident litigation speaks for itself. Attorney David Christensen won the largest personal injury verdict in the state ― $17.8 million for a Michigan truck accident victim hit by a cement truck. Put our experience to work for you, too.
Call or contact us today for a free consultation with an Ann Arbor truck accident lawyer.
