Commercial trucks are typically much heavier and larger than other vehicles on the road. Their extended length and height make them more challenging to maneuver and cause more blind spots, which reduce a trucker’s visibility of the road and other vehicles around them.
Because of these hazards, truckers must complete extensive training before operating semi-trucks and ensure they follow specific safety rules, including checking all mirrors before entering a roadway, merging, or changing lanes. When a truck driver fails to uphold these standards, and a wreck occurs due to their negligence, a skilled truck accident attorney can help you seek the compensation you need to recover for your losses.
Call the team at Richmond Vona, LLC to discuss blind-spot truck accidents in Buffalo and learn about your legal options for moving forward.
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What Is a Commercial Truck Blind Spot?
All cars have blind spots or areas around the vehicle that are not visible to drivers. Motorists must ensure they take extra care to check each one to avoid crashes. Large commercial trucks, such as semi-trucks, have four blind spots or no-zones they must constantly check while traveling.
While the trucker is responsible for scanning these areas, other motorists can help keep themselves safe by knowing where they are and moving out of them quickly. The location of each no-zone includes:
Directly in front of the truck stretching approximately 20 feet
Directly behind the vehicle, stretching about 30 feet
Both sides of the commercial truck beginning at the side mirrors extending back – this area extends one lane over on the left side and three lanes on the right
When Buffalo motorists traveling around trucks cannot see the truck driver in the side mirrors, the trucker cannot see them, and they should move out of the blind-spot when possible to avoid a potential accident. Other safety tips include passing commercial trucks on their left side when possible and avoiding making sudden maneuvers around them or cutting them off.
New York DOT Trucking Safety Rules
While every motorist is legally obligated to drive responsibly, federal and state laws hold truckers and companies that employ them to a higher standard and duty of care. This is partly because commercial truck accidents have the most devastating consequences, often resulting in catastrophic injuries and even death. Commercial vehicles also present many challenges that regular passenger cars do not, including additional, more prominent blind spots.
According to the guidance from the New York Department of Transportation, or DOT, commercial truckers must remain vigilant and cautious while behind the wheel of the truck at all times. Truckers must keep their eyes on the road and scan for possible hazards while using each mirror to check blind spots approximately every eight to ten seconds.
They must also avoid distractions, get plenty of rest, and prepare for the unexpected to happen at any moment. Other regulations include weight limits on cargo and appropriate vehicle maintenance, as well as the regular upkeep of accurate travel logs to ensure compliance with the limits set on how many hours a trucker can be behind the wheel on any given day or week.
When a Buffalo blind-spot truck accident occurs, our experienced team of attorneys can investigate to help determine whether a trucker or their employer’s negligence caused the incident.
Schedule to Meet a Buffalo Attorney to Discuss Blind-Spot Truck Accidents
Federal and state laws require truckers to check every blind spot often and before changing lanes or making maneuvers. While you can take steps to protect yourself and avoid accidents, the responsibility ultimately falls on truck operators.
Civil laws could entitle you to a settlement when you are in a crash because of a negligent trucker. Call a compassionate attorney from Richmond Vona, LLC who is knowledgeable about blind-spot truck accidents in Buffalo, to prepare a claim for damages.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
