Blind Spot Accidents

Every vehicle has a blind spot, and all drivers are responsible for monitoring their blind spots to ensure they do not cause a collision when changing lanes or making a turn. Unfortunately, negligent drivers often fail to check their blind spots, leading to significant accidents. At Larry R. Williams, PLLC, we are here to help if you need a blind spot accident lawyer to help you through this. We have decades of experience handling complex injury claims throughout Tennessee, and we know what it takes to help individuals recover compensation for their losses.

What is a Blind Spot?

Blind spots are areas around a vehicle that are not visible through the rearview or side mirrors. This creates a significant risk as drivers may not see other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians in these zones, leading to potential accidents. Understanding where your blind spots are and how to check them effectively is crucial for safe driving. When navigating a blind spot accident with a semi-truck or bus, a Nashville truck accident lawyer can help assess your case for compensation.

Commercial Truck Blind Spots and the “No Zones”

Commercial trucks have substantial blind spots, often referred to as “No Zones,” where smaller vehicles can disappear from the view of the truck driver. These zones are much larger than those in personal vehicles, and they exist at the front, sides, and rear of the truck. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides detailed guidance on these zones to educate drivers on the risks and to promote safer driving practices around large vehicles.

The “No Zones” include:

  • Front blind spot. Trucks have a deep blind spot directly in front due to their elevated driver position. It’s dangerous for smaller vehicles to cut in front of trucks without ensuring enough space.
  • Side blind spots. The most significant blind spots are on the sides of trucks. The right-side blind spot is typically larger and extends across multiple lanes.
  • Rear blind spot. Trucks also have a large blind spot directly behind them. Following too closely not only hides you from the truck driver’s view but also reduces your own ability to react to sudden stops.

Awareness of these “No Zones” can help drivers make safer decisions when navigating near large trucks on the roadways of Tennessee.

Negligence in Blind Spot Accidents

Negligence in blind spot accidents refers to the failure of drivers to exercise reasonable care to avoid a collision that occurs when a vehicle is traveling in a driver’s blind spot. These accidents can involve multiple parties and varying scenarios where negligence may occur. Understanding these scenarios can help identify liable parties in the event of an accident.

Possible negligent parties in blind spot accidents can include:

  • The Driver of the larger vehicle. Truck drivers, for instance, are required to check their blind spots using proper mirror adjustments and turning techniques, especially before changing lanes or making turns. Failure to do so can be seen as negligence.
  • The Driver of the smaller vehicle. Motorists driving smaller vehicles are also expected to be aware of the blind spots of larger vehicles like trucks and buses. Negligence can occur if a driver remains in these blind spots for prolonged periods or makes abrupt lane changes near a large vehicle without sufficient clearance.
  • Employers of commercial drivers. Companies can be held negligent for blind spot accidents if they fail to train their drivers adequately on techniques to minimize blind spot risks or if they do not equip vehicles with necessary safety equipment like blind spot mirrors or cameras.
  • Vehicle manufacturers. If a vehicle lacks the necessary design features to minimize blind spots and this defect leads to an accident, the manufacturer might be considered negligent.
  • Other contributing factors. Road design and maintenance agencies can also be held liable if the layout or poor condition of a road contributes to a blind spot accident.

In each case, establishing negligence typically requires showing that the party had a duty to act safely, breached that duty, and caused an accident as a result of that breach. Understanding these nuances is crucial for both preventing blind spot accidents and addressing liability after they occur.

Why Choose Larry R. Williams, PLLC?

  • At Larry R. Williams, PLLC, every case we take is a top priority of our team. We believe in handling every aspect of the claim on your behalf so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
  • Our team has no problem preparing cases for a full jury trial. We will not back down from aggressive insurance carriers, and by going to trial, we can help you secure the compensation you are entitled to.
  • Our vehicle accident lawyers know how to properly investigate a claim, gather the evidence needed to prove liability, and adequately assess your losses.

Types of Compensation Available for a Blind Spot Accident Claim

If you have been harmed in a blind spot accident caused by the negligent actions of another driver, you may be able to recover specific types of compensation to help with your losses. In general, injury claims can help victims recover both economic and non-economic damages.

  • Economic damages. After a vehicle accident, victims are likely to endure various types of specific and calculable monetary losses. This could include medical bills, lost income, property damage expenses, out-of-pocket losses, and more. 
  • Non-economic damages. There are various types of harder-to-calculate losses individuals could experience after a blind spot accident. These types of damages seek to provide compensation for a victim’s emotional and psychological pain and suffering, physical pain and suffering experienced, loss of enjoyment and quality of life, and more.

Call a Blind Spot Accident Lawyer in Nashville Today

If you or a loved one have been harmed in blind spot accident caused by the negligent actions of another driver in the Nashville or Middle Tennessee area, reach out to the experienced Nashville car accident lawyers at Larry R. Williams, PLLC for help today. We want to help ensure you recover compensation for your losses so you and your family can move forward. When you need a blind spot accident lawyer in Nashville, you can contact us for a completely free consultation of your claim by calling (615) 237-8619 or by filling out our contact form.