Drivers tend to be careful when changing lanes due to worries about blind spots. North Carolina roads see the continued presence of tractor-trailers and other big trucks along with passenger vehicles. A car driver could move into a truck’s blind spot without realizing it since a tractor trailer’s blind spots might be different from those of a smaller vehicle.
Trucks, cars, and blind spots
Blind spots refer to areas in the side lane that a driver can’t see in mirrors. A driver needs to check blind spots by glancing at the lane to make sure it is safe before moving over. Modern vehicles come with lane-change alert technology, but it has its limitations. Relying solely on technology could be a mistake.
With tractor-trailers, the blind spots become significant, meaning drivers must perform extreme care when changing lanes. A 200-foot rear blind spot certainly presents hazards, as evidenced by nearly 400,000 blind spot-related trucking accidents per year.
A truck driver that makes an ill-advised lane change could face liability claims. That said, the car traveling in the blind spot might be liable if the driver was under the influence or violated safety laws. Sometimes, both parties may share the blame, although not necessarily equally.
Injuries and blind spot collisions
If a massive truck crashes into a smaller vehicle, the chances for severe injuries are significant. Over 150,000 of the previously mentioned 400,000 accidents end in fatalities. Personal injury and wrongful death suits may follow after the collision.
A truck driver might not be the only liable party. The driver’s employer could be named as a defendant in a personal injury lawsuit as well.