Blind spot truck accidents in PA are a common cause of serious injury and loss of life. Blind spots are areas where the truck driver does not have a clear view of a nearby car, increasing the risk of a trucker striking the driver.
If you are in a blind spot truck accident, working with a Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer from Munley Law is a critical investment in protecting your future. Here is what you need to know.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Are Blind Spot Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania Common?
Data provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows that about 25% of all truck accidents nationwide involve blind spots. That means the truck driver did not see or look into the vehicle’s blind spots before switching lanes, merging, or otherwise operating the vehicle.
Whether you’re driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-80, I-81, I-76, or elsewhere, a truck’s blind spot can be a very dangerous place to operate your vehicle. However, it is not illegal to do so. The truck driver remains responsible for ensuring the safety of all parties involved before switching lanes. This means checking the blind spots to make sure no one is there. If a truck driver fails to do so, they increase the risk of a dangerous accident occurring.
Munley Law’s truck accident lawyers have more than 250 years of combined experience handling these cases in Pennsylvania and beyond. If you or a loved one is injured in a truck accident in the Keystone State, contact us for a free consultation and guidance on your legal options.
Where Do Blind Spot Truck Accidents in PA Happen?
A truck blind spot, sometimes called a “no-zone,” is an area around the exterior of the truck where the truck driver’s vision is limited. These are areas where trucks have very little actual visual of who or what is within them. Blind spots occur due to the vehicle’s oversize.
All vehicles have some blind spots. For a passenger car, for example, the most common blind spot is the one to the left rear. Unless you turn your head around, it is hard to see a car driving in that area. If you do not spot the car before switching lanes, you could strike it, causing an accident. The same applies to a truck’s blind spot. The most common blind spots on a truck, in PA and any state, include:
- Directly in Front of the Truck: The area right in front of the truck has a large blind spot. This is due to the truck’s engine and hood being positioned. In semi-trucks, there is very little visibility for the driver looking out the windows, making it difficult to see a car, person, or bike in that area.
- Directly Behind the Truck: Another blind spot is located right behind the truck, about several feet from the rear. This is because trucks typically do not have a rearview mirror, since the trailer is often positioned there. This creates a highly dangerous no-zone right behind the truck. Should the truck stop suddenly, anyone in the area could rear-end it, potentially leading to an undercarriage accident.
- Right Side of the Truck: On the right side of the truck, opposite the driver, there is a significant blind spot that extends from the middle to the rear. This zone can extend outward by multiple lanes, creating a highly dangerous area on freeways. This particular blind spot can pose risks during lane merging or when a car in that area tries to pass a truck while switching lanes.
- Left Side of the Truck: Along the left side of the truck, towards the back of the truck cab, there is another blind spot. This blind spot is smaller, but still significant, as it is enough for a bike or a person to be struck if the truck driver does not see them.
- Right-Hand Turn Blind Spot: When a truck is making a right-hand turn, an additional blind spot occurs along the side of the truck, from before the truck’s front bumper extending nearly to the back of the truck and out several feet. Trucks require a much wider turning radius, and any vehicle that’s within the area between the truck and the turn can become damaged. Following the truck closely when it turns right is critical.
Locating a truck’s blind spot does not have to be challenging. Follow a simple rule: If you cannot see the driver of the truck – either directly through a window or through their side mirrors – they cannot see you. That puts you into a dangerous situation if you’re driving within that area for too long and the truck switches lanes for any reason.
Are Blind Spot Truck Accidents Preventable?
A truck’s blind spot is a dangerous area to drive in, but there are ways to minimize risks when driving in Pennsylvania. A blind-spot truck accident occurs when the driver fails to ensure the area is safe and moves into that lane, assuming it is clear. However, there are several ways this can be avoided, including:
Using Blind Spot Detection Technology for Trucks
Modern semi trucks are equipped with sensors that monitor these areas. That offers a significant improvement over older vehicles that lack this type of technology. Just as in many passenger cars equipped with a blind spot detector signal in the mirror, a similar technology is also present on trucks. This gives the truck driver a warning that someone is in that space, so they do not move into it until that area is clear.
Please note that not all trucks on the road today are equipped with this type of technology. It is not as common on older trucks, as not all trucking companies have upgraded to the latest technology and safety features. As a driver in a passenger vehicle, you should not assume the truck has any type of specialized gear to protect you.
Truck Drivers Checking Blind Spots
Truck drivers have cameras and the physical ability to turn and look behind them when making any turn. In doing so, they can protect others on the road with them. When possible, truckers should make the effort to determine if someone is driving in that dangerous area.
Drivers Should Aim to Stay Out of Blind Spots
Whenever possible, avoid operating your vehicle in one of these blind spots. Doing that helps to protect you from other drivers. There are times when this is not easy to do, especially when trying to merge or pass a truck. However, being aware of the vehicle’s blind spots and how to safely get around the truck will help you throughout this process.
What Factors Contribute to Blind Spot Accidents in PA?
- Truck Size and Structure: There is no way to avoid having blind spots — the size and shape of a truck make it more likely that these vehicles will have difficulty seeing passenger cars traveling behind, in front of, and on the sides of them. Smaller cars, pedestrians, and bike riders are particularly vulnerable because of their size.
- Driver Fatigue: Another common cause of these accidents is truck driver fatigue. If a driver is tired behind the wheel, they may not pay close enough attention to what is occurring. They may not react when a vehicle pulls into a blind spot while they are switching lanes.
- Driver Distraction: Even with technology on board to mitigate such risks, truck driver distraction remains a significant problem for all types of vehicles. Blind-spot accidents can occur when truckers use navigational devices, send text messages, or are otherwise distracted.
- Weather Conditions: In PA, snowstorms and heavy rain are among the most common factors limiting visibility on roadways. Fog also makes it more challenging for truck drivers to see.
- Congestion on the Roadways: Many of the main truck routes through PA, including the Turnpike, can become congested. That means more vehicles are sharing the same roadway. When a trucker needs to merge or switch lanes, blind spots become more hazardous.
Truck accidents in blind spots are a common concern, no matter when you are operating on the road. Remember that if you cannot see the driver, they cannot see you. Review our case results to see how we have helped our clients. Among these are a $26 million truck accident settlement, a $19.8 million truck accident settlement, and a $9 million settlement for an accident caused by a truck.
What Can a PA Truck Accident Lawyer Do After a Truck Blind Spot Accident?
If you are involved in a truck blind spot accident, knowing what to do is essential. Your top priorities are getting medical care by calling 911 and documenting the scene. Still, in these accidents, it’s important to include a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your Pennsylvania truck accident attorney provides you with a wealth of support and guidance in maximizing your claim for compensation.
There are numerous ways we can help you, such as:
Gathering Evidence
Proving that the truck merged or struck you because the driver failed to manage blind spots can be confusing and challenging. Your attorney will work closely to gather evidence from all available sources. This may include:
- Commercial truck logs that could show that a warning was issued about a vehicle in the blind spot
- Black box data that indicates the driver was distracted
- Witness statements that show the driver was not paying attention
- Dash camera footage that creates a clear visual of what happened
- Police reports of the incident
- Reconstruction services that can describe what occurred based on the debris in the area
Your attorney has access to these and other types of evidence to build a clear case. This evidence is critical in showing who is at fault in the accident.
File a Comprehensive Claim
Your truck accident lawyer in PA will also create a comprehensive claim for you, one that includes all of the losses you have as a result of the truck accident. This could include medical costs, pain and suffering, property damage, and emotional trauma.
Your attorney’s ability to create an accurate claim is dependent on their access to critical information, such as your medical reports. Using expert medical experts and speaking to you, your family, and your employer, your attorney can create a comprehensive and accurate claim that demonstrates your losses.
Negotiate with the Insurance Companies
Expect your blind spot truck accident lawyer to bring the fight to your case. This includes negotiating rigorously with the insurance companies to demonstrate your losses and your right to compensation. Our extensive experience can make a difference in your ability to recover damages.
If the trucking company fails to agree to fair terms, we will seek a lawsuit against that party and all others involved. We represent you throughout the case to recover fair damages.
Why Is Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney for a Blind Spot Accident Essential?
To protect yourself from devastating financial loss, you need to hire a PA truck accident lawyer with the skills and resources to help you.
Our expertise is recognized locally and internationally. Munley Law is the only Pennsylvania law firm with three attorneys who are board-certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In addition, Marion Munley and Daniel Munley are board-certified by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, and they serve on the academy’s Board of Regents. Marion Munley was the first woman to chair the American Association for Justice’s Trucking Litigation Group, a position that Daniel Munley has also held. These two lawyers were named among the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, while all our partners were named among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, by the National Trial Lawyers.
Contact an attorney at Munley Law today. All consultations are free, and we charge no fees unless we win your case.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley is one of the nation’s most decorated and respected truck accident lawyers. Having contributed to numerous publications and spoken at numerous conferences, she has advocated for truck accident victims nationwide. Marion is Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the NBTA and is the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 – additionally, she was named “Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers” by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Marion has assisted in several landmark truck accident settlements, including a $26 million settlement for a single mother of three who was critically injured when a tractor trailer collided with her car.
