Driving near or around large trucks in Nevada carries many accident risks due to the size, structure and design of a big rig. One hazard is the large blind spots that are present on an 18-wheeler. If you get involved in a truck accident caused by a blind spot, learn your legal rights by contacting an experienced truck accident attorney in Las Vegas.
Where Are a Semi-Truck’s Blind Spots?
Blind spots refer to one or more areas of the road that are not visible to a motor vehicle driver in his or her rearview mirror or side mirrors. In the cab of a commercial truck, a truck driver’s blind spots are referred to as “No Zones,” because they are areas where motor vehicle drivers should never go. The No Zone of a large truck extends approximately:
- 20 feet in front of the truck
- 30 feet behind the truck’s trailer
- One lane to the left of the truck
- Two lanes to the right of the truck
In these areas, a motor vehicle driver is in danger, as the driver of the truck may not see or be aware of the smaller car. This can lead to the truck driver changing lanes on top of another vehicle and causing an accident. For this reason, motor vehicle drivers are wise to stay out of the No Zone.
Common Truck Accidents Caused by Blind Spots
Limited visibility from a commercial truck can lead to truck drivers making maneuvers without being aware of nearby vehicles. In this way, a semi-truck’s blind spots can cause many types of accidents, including:
- Merging accidents
- Lane-change accidents
- Sideswipes
- Rear-end collisions
- Underride/override accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Vehicles veering off the road
- No-contact crashes
- Reversing (backup) accidents
- Bicyclist and pedestrian accidents
Truck blind spot accidents can result in serious injuries to the occupants of smaller cars, such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, neck injuries and internal injuries. Truck drivers can often prevent these accidents by being aware of the truck’s blind spots.
Who Is Responsible for a Truck Blind Spot Accident in Nevada?
If you get involved in an accident with a large truck due to a blind spot, you may have grounds to bring a claim against the truck driver or trucking company. This could be the case if someone was negligent, or failed to use proper care, in connection to the crash. At-fault parties in a blind spot accident claim may include:
- Truck driver, for lack of signaling, improper lookout, failing to check blind spots, distracted driving, fatigue, dangerous lane changes, speeding, tailgating, or alcohol or drug impairment.
- Truck company, for poor driver training, incompetent drivers, missing or poorly aligned truck mirrors, pressuring drivers to exceed hours-of-service restrictions, or federal law violations.
- Third party, including another driver involved in the crash, a truck or vehicle manufacturer, the government responsible for road safety, or a truck maintenance crew.
Determining who is liable for your truck blind spot accident in Nevada is one of the first steps you must take to pursue financial compensation for your injuries and losses after a crash. If you need assistance identifying the at-fault party and proving liability, contact a truck accident attorney at Koch & Brim, LLP. We offer free truck accident case evaluations.