Tractor-trailer drivers possess the experience and training necessary to make them safety-conscious professionals, but no one can prevent accidents entirely. Truck accidents happen on Idaho roads for numerous reasons, and the inability to see a vehicle in a blind spot being one of the most common. Therefore, anyone behind the wheel of a car, pickup truck or SUV should be mindful of blind spots when nearing a tractor-trailer.
Blind spots and tractor-trailers
A blind spot refers to a section of the road a driver cannot see in a mirror. Someone driving a compact car might have a small blind spot, but the blind spot could be large enough to make a motorcycle challenging to notice. Since the vehicles are so massive, tractor-trailers’ blind spots are far larger. Truck drivers and commuters must adjust their behavior to avoid blind spot-related accidents.
The two most common blind spots lie angled from the right and left sides of the driver’s cab. Unfortunately, not everyone may know specifically where these blind spots end, so caution becomes necessary when approaching.
Also, commuters may incorrectly assume that blind spots do not exist at the vehicle’s rear. What many might not realize is that blind spots exist with the front. The truck’s front-end height contributes to the forward blind spot.
Liabilities and blind spots
Tractor-trailer drivers might reduce the chances of truck accidents by looking over their shoulders and checking their blind spots before changing lanes. In addition, with advanced technology, such as blind spots and cross-traffic alerts, trucks might be better prepared to prevent crashes. Even so, accidents still happen because of the inattention of other vehicles and truckers.
Drivers should be careful when entering a blind spot. In some traffic conditions, avoiding blind spots might be advisable. Truck drivers and commuters who take reckless risks or commit moving violations could face a civil lawsuit after an accident. Driving recklessly in a blind spot or making illegal lane changes might establish liability.