Drivers of many models of cars and SUVs know that their vehicles have blind spots. These are spaces beside or close behind the vehicle that are not visible when looking in the rearview or side mirrors. Commercial trucks have even larger blind spots and a motorist who enters one of these zones risks catastrophic results. Still, it is a trucker’s obligation to track nearby vehicles and operate their rig safely.
Blind spot truck accidents in Mesa can cause serious injuries but pursuing a claim can be challenging. Your best bet is to work with a law firm with deep roots in the community. The experienced truck accident attorneys at Phillips Law Group can ensure you understand your options for moving forward after a wreck. Call today to get started.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identifies truck blind spots as one of the major risks of sharing the road with commercial vehicles. It publishes diagrams showing how much space a trucker needs to operate their vehicle safely. Tractor-trailers have blind spots the length of the cab in front, half the length of the trailer on the left, the length of the trailer extending over two lanes of traffic on the right, and the length of the trailer in back.
Truckers must keep track of nearby vehicles using their mirrors. When a vehicle disappears, a trucker can assume it has entered their blind spot. Modern trucks are equipped with cameras and intrusion alert systems, but the driver still must be attentive to surrounding traffic.
Passenger vehicles and even other trucks sometimes underestimate the size of a truck’s blind spots. They may try to pass when they cannot get clear of the truck’s blind spot or move back into a lane too close in front of the truck. In heavy traffic, a car might be forced to travel beside the truck where the driver cannot see them. Any of these situations could cause a serious blind-spot accident in Mesa or elsewhere in the state.
Arizona has a fault-based vehicle accident claims process. Anyone injured in a truck accident must prove that the trucker or trucking company’s negligence was a contributing factor in the crash. In most cases, someone is negligent if they do not exercise the degree of caution that a reasonable person would use in similar circumstances.
However, operators of commercial vehicles like trucks are held to a higher standard than others. A trucker or trucking company can be negligent if they fail to use the utmost care to protect others. Any indication that a driver or their employer deviated from best safety practices could lead to liability for the crash.
Our accident attorneys in Mesa will investigate the blindspot crash to identify how it happened. They could subpoena the truck’s data recorder and footage from its onboard cameras, in addition to other relevant evidence. If the driver could have avoided the crash through greater attentiveness or skill, the driver and transportation company could be found negligent.
Although truckers have a duty to be aware of surrounding vehicles, drivers of those surrounding vehicles also have a duty. They must avoid entering a truck’s blind spot if possible. When it is impossible to avoid the blind spot, the driver should move out of it as quickly as they can.
The drivers of passenger vehicles involved in blind spot accidents are often guilty of negligence for entering a blind spot or remaining in a position where the trucker could not see them. Fortunately, Arizona Revised Statute §12-2505 allows an injured person to collect compensation even when they are primarily responsible for an accident. However, the amount they can collect is reduced proportionally to their responsibility for the incident. A blind-spot truck accident attorney in Mesa can advocate for an injured person and help ensure they receive the largest portion of their damages the evidence permits.
Phillips Law Group’s attorneys have been representing local people injured in vehicle accidents for decades. When you are involved in a blind spot truck accident in Mesa, they have the skills and experience to ensure you receive appropriate compensation for your injuries.
Consultations are free and there is no obligation to work with our team after this initial visit. Get in touch today to learn more about how we may be able to help you or a loved one. Contact us now to find out more!
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