Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and average about 73 feet in length. Due to their considerable size, these trucks also have large blind spots, where the driver is unable to see a car near them. These blind spots contribute to many truck accidents. Learn to avoid these blind spots and make sure you are seen by truck drivers.
Where are the Blind Spots?
Trucks have 4 blind spots, which cover much of the road around them. These spots are:
- Directly behind the trailer. The driver is unable to see you following them unless you maintain a distance of more than 30 feet.
- Directly in front of the truck. The hood of the truck obscures the road in front of the vehicle. Allow at least 20 feet between your car and the truck. Measure this by making sure you can see the entire front of the truck, including both head lights in your rearview. Check carefully before merging.
- Under the left cab mirror. The driver cannot see you if you are beside the truck. This blind spot covers 1 lane, and extends back to midway down the trailer.
- Under the right cab mirror. This blind spot covers 2 lanes, and extends further back, depending on which lane you are in. The further away you are from the truck’s side, the further back you will be invisible along the truck’s length.
Avoiding Blind Spots
An easy way to know if you are in a blind spot is if you are able to see the truck’s side mirror. If you cannot, assume that the drive doesn’t know you are there, and move out of the blind spot. When driving near trucks on the road, frequently check to make sure that you didn’t drift into a blind spot.
When passing trucks, avoid passing on the right side. Due to the larger blind spot, you will spend more time invisible to the driver when passing. If they don’t suspect that you are there, they may merge while you are in the lane. Pass trucks only on the left. Be sure not to linger in blind spots when passing, signal your intentions, and pass quickly.
It is the responsibility of the truck driver to merge safely, but you can help avoid mistakes by remaining visible to drivers and allowing them space to maneuver. A heavy truck cannot swerve or stop as quickly as a car can, so it is important to allow adequate space for truck drivers and for yourself to react to hazards.
Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries. If you have been injured by a neglectful truck driver, you deserve compensation. Our Atlanta truck accident attorneys are dedicated to recovering the maximum amount of compensation for you. We pride ourselves on our commitment to caring, personalized client service. Contact Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.