Blind Spot Truck Accidents in Jonesboro
Just like any other motor vehicle, commercial trucks have “blind spots” where their operator does not have a clear line of sight to the road surface around them, even with the help of mirrors. Unfortunately, because tractor-trailers are larger than commuter cars, their blind spots are significantly larger as well. When truck drivers fail to account for their blind spots, serious and even fatal accidents can occur as a result.
If you got hurt in a blind spot truck accident in Jonesboro, the next steps you take could have an immense impact on your future physical wellbeing and financial stability. A knowledgeable truck accident attorney could review your unique circumstances and help you find the right course of action to maximize civil recovery.
The Size and Location of Tractor-Trailer Blind Spots
The length of a typical tractor-trailer, from the cab’s front bumper to the rear of the trailer, is about 70 to 80 feet. Truck drivers have the added disadvantages of sitting much higher above the road than commuter car operators and not having rearview mirrors due to the height of the trailers behind them. These factors all combine to give commercial trucks sizable blind spots in the following areas:
- About 20 feet in front of the cab’s front bumper;
- About 30 feet behind the trailer’s rear bumper;
- The area immediately below the driver’s side window; and
- Almost the entire right side of the cab and trailer.
Truck drivers are expected to be aware of, and account for, their vehicle’s blind spots. Any reckless or careless failure to do so might constitute negligence, which could make them or their employer financially liable for damages stemming from the wreck. However, as any attorney who has dealt with local blind spot truck accidents could affirm, successfully proving fault for this type of incident can be complicated.
Who is Responsible for Blind Spot Truck Wrecks?
The term “duty of care” refers to an obligation to look out for the safety of others by acting reasonably at all times. Everyone who operates a motor vehicle in the state of Georgia, including truck drivers and regular commuter car operators, assumes such a duty the moment they get behind the wheel.
In practice, this means that truckers who cause wrecks because they fail to check their blind spots before turning or changing lanes can bear civil liability for those accidents. However, it also means that drivers of smaller vehicles who remain inside a truck’s blind spot(s) for an unreasonable amount of time might bear partial responsibility for an ensuing blind spot tractor-trailer crash in Jonesboro.
According to Official Code of Georgia §51-12-33, any civil plaintiff who bears a percentage of fault for their own injuries is subject to a proportional reduction of any damage award they receive in civil court. Furthermore, under O.C.G.A. §51-11-7, civil courts have the authority to bar recovery altogether for any plaintiff who is 50 percent or more to blame for the accident.
Speak with a Lawyer After a Blind Spot Truck Accident in Jonesboro
Given the severe consequences that blind spot truck accidents in Jonesboro often have, pursuing civil restitution for your injuries and losses may be crucial to preserving your future prospects after such a wreck. However, if you try to file a claim without professional legal guidance, you might struggle to convince a court that you are not to blame for this incident, instead of a negligent truck driver or trucking company.
Retaining a skilled lawyer should be your first priority after seeking appropriate medical care for blind spot truck wreck injuries. Call today to schedule your initial consultation.
