Why Semi-truck Blind Spots Can Cause Major Crashes

Semi-trucks inspire a number of unique safety concerns on the road. They require more space at intersections because they perform wide turns. They can throw snow or sheets of ice onto other vehicles if drivers don’t clear off the trailers during the winter months. They can potentially jackknife or roll over when going around sharp curves at high speeds, blocking traffic and crashing into other vehicles. They also have large blind spots that can affect the safety of others in traffic. Blind spots can be the underlying cause of motor vehicle collisions involving a semi-truck or other vehicles near it in traffic.

How can blind spots contribute to collision risks for those sharing the road with 18-wheelers?

Truck drivers can’t see other vehicles

The most concerning safety issue stemming from the blind spots of semi-trucks is that commercial drivers can’t see all the way around their vehicles. Commercial drivers may have a hard time noticing vehicles that are directly next to or behind their trailers. Vehicles in the lane to the left of a semi-truck’s trailer and in the two lanes to the right of the semi-truck’s trailer may be hard for the driver to notice. They may then turn or merge in a way that makes a collision quite likely.

Drivers can’t see around semi-trucks

On two-lane roads, semi-trucks may become slow-moving obstacles. They don’t always travel at the same speeds as smaller vehicles, which means that other drivers may want to pass them. However, the people driving their personal vehicles likely cannot see clearly around the semi-truck, which increases their chances of causing a preventable collision. The semi-truck may not end up involved in the crash, but it may be the proximate cause of the collision.

Drivers who understand how semi-truck blind spots increase their risk on the road can stay safer when they are close to a semi-truck in traffic. Yet, safety is never guaranteed. Those involved in semi-truck collisions may need help seeking compensation afterward. Confusing liability rules, major damages and higher insurance amounts can make it particularly difficult to get compensation after a crash caused by a commercial truck. The right support can make a major difference for those involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler.