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(832) 449-8230Large commercial trucks like 18-wheelers have much bigger blind spots, also called no-zones, than your average vehicle. This means a trucker cannot see drivers in their side-view mirrors when they enter those areas.
Every day, our seasoned truck accident attorneys handle catastrophic crashes involving trucks and passenger car vehicles. Understanding where a truck’s blind spots are is crucial to keeping yourself safe while traveling next to them on the road. Call a hard-working lawyer experienced with blind-spot truck accidents in Texas City when you need help with a case like this.
Accidents involving commercial trucks and passenger vehicles often lead to severe injuries and property damage. Even when they utilize all the truck’s mirrors and cameras, a trucker still cannot see motorists traveling in the vehicle’s no-zones. Therefore, they must remain aware at all times and notice when other drivers are entering a blind spot.
Truck driver error is usually the cause of no-zone truck crashes. An attorney seasoned in blind-spot truck crashes in Texas City can investigate to find the evidence needed to establish liability for the damages.
Commercial truck drivers undergo extensive training. They must pass written and behind-the-wheel tests before they begin operating their vehicles. Constantly checking mirrors to watch the truck’s blind spots is part of this training.
However, motorists can also help keep themselves safe by avoiding those areas. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, motorists can help keep themselves safe by taking precautions, such as staying clear of commercial truck blind spots. There are four large blind spots to be aware of.
Commercial trucks have a large no-zone directly in the front of the vehicle that extends out approximately 20 feet. This massive blind spot, combined with a trucker’s inability to stop quickly, makes cutting trucks off extremely hazardous.
There are also massive no-zones on both sides of the commercial vehicle, starting at the side-view mirrors and extending out. When cars travel next to trucks, there is a significant chance the trucker cannot see them.
Finally, there is a large no-zone directly behind the truck, extending nearly 200 feet from the vehicle’s bumper. When motorists follow trucks too closely, they cannot see anything except for the truck, and the trucker cannot see the car. This creates a possibility for a Texas City blind-spot truck accident to occur.
The civil court commonly finds that the plaintiff shares part of the responsibility for the collision in car accident civil claims. According to the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, they will not bar them from recovering damages unless they find the petitioner is 50 percent at fault or more. However, the court will subtract the plaintiff’s liability position from the total damages award. For example, if someone is found to be 20 percent at fault and would have received $100,000 from the truck crash claim, they would only get $80,000.
During a consultation, a skilled Texas City blind-spot truck crash lawyer could answer questions about shared fault and how it will impact potential damage recovery.
No-zone truck crashes can leave you with life-altering injuries or even permanent disabilities. When a truck driver breaches their duty of care and fails to observe others on the road, they should be held accountable. Call a seasoned lawyer knowledgeable about blind-spot truck accidents in Texas City for more information.
Lone Star Injury Attorneys, PLLC
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