Blind Spots & No‑Zone Accidents: What Truck Drivers Can’t See

Big rig trucks have massive blind spots, often called “no-zones.” No-zones are areas where a driver cannot see you, even when using their mirrors. You’ve probably seen the bumper stickers: “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.”  As an automobile driver or passenger, the last place you need to be is inside one of these no-zones. Driving in one of them significantly increases your risk of a truck accident.

The four main no-zones you need to know about

There are four main trucker blind spots that you need to know about:

• The large area directly in front of the cab often stretches up to 20 feet ahead of the driver.
• A long, wide stretch on the right side of the truck’s trailer.
• The smaller space on the driver’s side of the trailer.
• The entire area directly behind the truck–up to 30 feet long depending on the size of the trailer.

You won’t be able to avoid these zones entirely, but stay out of them as much as you can.

How a truck’s size creates blind spots

A big rig truck’s blind spots are far larger than an automobile’s blind spots, for the following reasons:

• The high elevation of a truck driver’s seat makes it difficult to see vehicles low to the ground, such as convertibles.
• The enormous width and length of the trailer can obstruct visibility on the sides and rear of the truck.
• A truck’s mirrors are limited in visibility. They cannot capture every angle around the truck.
• The type of cargo that a truck carries might further block the driver’s view.

Remember that the larger the vehicle and the higher the driver’s seat, the larger the blind spots are likely to be.

Common blind spot accident scenarios

Blind spot accidents can occur in many different ways. Here are a few of them.

• A truck sideswipes your vehicle while changing lanes.
• The truck makes a wide right turn and swings into your lane.
• A truck driver rear-ends you while backing up.
• A truck hits you while merging onto the highway into the lane you are using.

These are just a small sampling of dozens of ways that a truck blind spot accident can happen.

Your best defense against a truck’s no-zone

Observe the following safety tips to drastically lower your odds of suffering a blind spot accident:

• Always maintain a generous following distance behind a truck. If the truck braked suddenly, would you be able to avoid hitting it?
• When passing a truck, do so on the left (driver’s) side, where the trucker’s blind spot is smaller.
• Avoid driving directly beside a truck for any longer than you have to. You will inevitably spend time in the driver’s blind spot, and sooner or later, the trucker is going to want to change lanes.
• Make eye contact with the truck driver in their side mirrors to confirm that they can see you. This much is worth repeating–if you can’t see the driver in their mirror, they can’t see you.

The general principle is, never assume the driver is going to see you. Assuming they are paying attention is too much of a risk to your own safety.

When a truck driver’s failure to see is considered negligence

Not all “no-zone” accidents are the truck driver’s fault, but a significant proportion of them are. Here are some of the reasons the truck driver might be at fault:

• The driver falls asleep at the wheel after driving too many hours in a row. When a driver’s eyes are closed, the entire road is a blind spot.
• Failing to check blind spots or signals before changing lanes.
• Braking suddenly while you are in the truck driver’s rear blind spot.

A driver’s negligence can be the legal cause of your injuries and property damage. One way you can prove negligence is by showing that the driver’s violation of a trucking regulation caused the accident. You might also be able to sue the trucking company for negligent hiring, training, or supervision.

Building your case after a no-zone collision

It is important what you do after a “no-zone” accident:

• Take the obvious immediate actions, such as taking photos of the accident scene and calling 911 for the police and an ambulance.
• Gather evidence, such as the police report and witness statements, to the extent that your injuries allow you to do so.
• Your lawyer can subpoena the content of the truck’s electronic log and its event data recorder, also known as the “black box.”
• Accident reconstruction experts can help demonstrate how the blind spot caused the crash.

There are a hundred other ways to gather evidence, depending on the facts of your case. If you suspect the driver was texting while driving, for example, you can subpoena their cell phone records..

Compensation

Trucking accidents tend to generate serious injuries that are worth a lot of money. If you win your claim:

• You will be entitled to compensation for all of your medical expenses–past, present, and future.
• You will be entitled to reimbursement for any lost wages, including future diminished earning capacity.
• You will likely qualify for “pain and suffering” damages as well as other forms of non-economic damages, such as emotional distress and disfigurement. Non-economic damages might add up to the majority of the total value of your claim.
• If someone died in the accident, an entirely different set of damages applies.

We can help you navigate the difficulties of dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies almost always try to minimize their payout.

You don’t have to face this battle alone

Contact a legal professional to discuss the specifics of your truck accident and understand your rights. Pat Maloney Accident & Injury Attorney is a San Antonio truck accident law firm with decades of experience successfully defending the rights of accident victims. Contact us for a free initial case consultation.