Every day, semi-trucks transport millions of goods throughout Portland and Oregon. Because they are much larger than typical cars, trucks have several blind spots that limit their drivers’ visibility.
If you get involved in a blind spot accident with a semi-truck, the results can be devastating, even catastrophic, due to a truck’s massive size and weight. It’s important to understand where these blind spots (also known as “no-zones”) are and how to avoid them to prevent being involved in truck blind spot accidents in Portland.
Where Are a Truck’s Blind Spots?
The first step in driving safely around a truck and avoiding truck blind spot crashes in Portland is to be aware of their blind spots. There are three primary problem areas truck drivers are working with:
- Front Blind Spot – A truck has a high cab, making it impossible for a driver to see anything directly in front of it. Any spot within approximately 20 feet of the front of a truck’s cab is not visible to the driver.
- Read Blind Spot – Trucks don’t have rear-view mirrors, so truck drivers can’t see behind them for about 30 feet.
- Side Blind Spot – Both sides of a truck have areas that aren’t visible to the driver, especially the right side. The rule of thumb is that if you can’t see the driver in their side mirror, they can’t see you.
These blind spots make it hard for truck drivers to know what’s happening on the road. This is especially true if a smaller car is switching lanes or stopping suddenly around them. Making such last-minute decisions can be detrimental to both the car and truck drivers because smaller vehicles can completely disappear from a truck’s blind spots.
Common Causes of Blind Spot Accidents
Understanding where a truck’s blind spots are is vital to avoiding truck blind spot accidents. Another good tip is to understand the most common causes of these crashes, such as the following:
- Merging and lane changes inside of a no-zone
- Following too closely behind a truck
- Ignoring wide turns and not providing the truck enough space to make their turn
- Distracted or reckless driving around a truck
It’s essential to remember that a truck driver can’t see everything you’re doing on the road, even if you’re doing nothing wrong. They are required to get special licenses and learn how to operate their heavy trucks safely, but they can’t be 100 percent safe on the roads without the cooperation of other drivers.
An example of the many big rig blind spot dangers is a driver switching lanes too close to a semi-truck. When this happens, the truck driver may not be aware that there is now a car in front of them. As a result, the truck driver won’t account for the other driver when factoring in the time it takes to put on the brakes before the next red light. The results can be catastrophic and even fatal.
Safety Tips to Avoid Blind Spot Accidents
Truck drivers are responsible for checking their blind spots and prioritizing other drivers’ safety. However, there are many tips that other drivers can utilize to help maintain safety on the roads and avoid truck no-zone accidents. These include the following:
- Stay Out of a Truck’s Blind Spots – Avoid lingering in those spots as much as possible, considering the truck driver probably doesn’t know you’re there.
- Maintain a Safe Following Distance – Stay at least 30 feet back so the truck driver can see you are behind them.
- Pass Trucks Carefully and Promptly – Before passing, make sure you’re not interrupting a lane change and that there is plenty of space around you and the truck. Once you begin, don’t linger. Pass the truck and return to a place on the road where they can see you.
- Be Attentive to Truck Turn Signals – If a truck signals that it is about to make a lane change, be sure to give it the space it needs and that you are not in a blind spot.
- Practice Defensive Driving – It’s best to assume a truck driver can’t see you, so be prepared to get out of their way quickly.
A truck driver will do their best to be aware of you wherever you are on the road. But practicing these safety tips when traveling alongside a semi-truck is a good idea. Doing so can help to mitigate the risk of an accident.
What to Do After a Truck Blind Spot Accident
If you’ve been the victim of a truck blind spot accident, regardless of your safe driving, you should take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention.
- Document the accident scene (photos, video, etc.)
- Gather the driver’s information.
- Report the accident.
- Contact a Portland truck accident lawyer.
There are some car accidents you can handle without representation, but a truck accident is not likely to be one of them. When a truck driver is involved in an accident, their insurance company will get involved. Big driving companies typically use big insurance carriers that know how to minimize your case. Don’t settle for less than you deserve; a Portland truck accident attorney can work to demand maximum compensation for your injuries, losses, and pain and suffering.
How Our Portland Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
At Rizk Law, we have extensive experience handling complex Portland truck accident claims. Our lawyers have successfully secured substantial compensation for truck accident victims, such as the following:
- $900,000 settlement for a commercial delivery truck collision
- $520,000 settlement for a semi-truck rear-end collision
Our success stems from firm founder Richard Rizk’s experience as a former insurance defense attorney. He knows the insurance companies’ tactics to minimize accident victims’ claims, and this insider knowledge can be a distinct advantage in high-stakes trucking accident lawsuits.
We take a client-centered approach so that our clients have peace of mind and can focus on healing. If you choose Rizk Law, you’ll have compassion and experience on your side. We won’t charge you anything upfront, either. Because our law practice operates on a contingency basis, you only pay us if we win your case.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident in Portland, contact Rizk Law for a free, no-obligation consultation and case review.
