Denver Truck Blind Spot Accident Attorneys
Have You Been Injured in a Trucking Collision? We Want to Help
We all start to sweat a little when driving next to a semi-truck. These massive vehicles are more than capable of crushing cars beneath their wheels, causing unimaginable damage. Sadly, you have good reason to be nervous if you are next to a truck -- truckers have to contend with massive blind spots. If they neglect to check these blind spots, it could easily lead to a devastating collision.
We at Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. have seen the aftermath of countless truck crashes, many of them caused by negligent drivers who did not bother to check their blind spots before merging or making a turn. If you or a loved one has been involved in a collision with a truck, then we may be able to offer strong legal representation against the trucking company. For a helping hand, call our firm at (303) 759-9945 today.
A Truck's Blind Spots
Every vehicle has blind spots. These are sections of the road that the driver cannot see due to the structure of the vehicle. In cars, the bind spot is usually just over the driver’s shoulders, which is why drivers need to turn their heads to check for oncoming traffic before merging or making a left turn. In trucks, the blind spots are much larger, because the truck itself is an incredibly large vehicle, so there are sections of it that the truck driver simply cannot see. These include:
- 20 feet in front
- 30 feet behind
- Under the cab mirror on the left side
- Under the cab mirror on the right side and extending out for several feet
While other drivers would be well advised to avoid being in these blind spots, it is always the truck driver’s responsibility to check blind spots when necessary. If a truck driver merges into another lane and hits a car in its blind spot, it is the truck driver’s fault, not the car driver’s fault for being in the blind spot to begin with.
When Truck Drivers Fail to Check Blind Spots
Tractor-trailers weigh an average of 80,000 pounds. An overloaded rig can weigh even more, up to 110,000 pounds. That is why it is so important for trucker to check their blind spots for vehicles before switching lanes or turning. Otherwise they could cause a number of dangerous accidents, such as:
Underrides: Underrides are the most common truck-related crashes caused by a trucker failing to check his blind spot. Given their height, a rig has a large amount of open space under its trailer. This area is tall enough for the front of passenger vehicles to fit underneath, but not tall enough for the people in the cab. This can lead to catastrophic injuries, or even decapitation, to the driver and passengers within.
Rollovers: Trucks have a high center of gravity. This means that, despite their weight, it can be very easy for a truck to fall or roll over. If a truck merges into another lane without checking its blind spots, and its wheel hits a car, that can be enough force to cause the truck to tip over, slamming into several lanes of traffic.
Cargo spills: A cargo spill may happen in a similar way to a rollover. If the truck is left off-balance, and the trailer tips too far to the side, then the contents of the trailer may spill out. This can be particularly dangerous if the truck is carrying a heavy load, such as logs; or carrying dangerous chemicals, like gasoline.
Jackknifes: A jackknife occurs when the trailer of a semi-truck swings to the side, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab. This kind of truck accident can happen when the driver loses control of the trailer, often due to poor maneuvering. If a truck driver has to suddenly correct course because she almost hit another car due to not checking her blind spots, then it could cause her to lose control of the trailer, leading to a jackknife. Jackknifes are particularly dangerous, as they can cause damage in several lanes of traffic at once, potentially impacting dozens of cars.
The Danger of Truck Accidents
As we have already mentioned, trucks are at most 20 to 28 times heavier than passenger vehicles. They can easily drive over smaller vehicles. In fact, it often takes a collision with several cars before a truck even begins to slow down. On a crowded highway, there are usually dozens of victims, each suffering catastrophic injuries such as:
- Brain damage
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
- Loss of limb
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Skull fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Road rash
- Lacerations
Many wrongful deaths also come about as a result of truckers failing to check their blind spots. If you have lost a loved one to a truck collision, then you need a skilled attorney to represent your claim and get you the settlement that you deserve.
Call Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. for Top Legal Representation
Recovering from a truck accident is no easy feat. You have medical bills, severe injuries, and emotional trauma to deal with. Adding a personal injury claim on top of that can seem next to impossible. However, when you choose to work with Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., our attorneys take on the claim, so that you can take the time you need to begin the recovery process. For help from a Denver truck crash attorney, call our firm at (303) 759-9945. We are here to offer you the support you truly need.
Additional Information
- Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection Help Drivers Avoid Trouble - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
- Large Blind Spots - FMCSA
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