Sandy Springs Blind Spot Truck Accident Lawyer
Due to their length and height, there are many areas of the road surrounding a commercial truck that is difficult for the operator to see. These blind spots create a unique risk, as truck drivers must operate without knowing if there are smaller vehicles nearby. While there are federal guidelines meant to help drivers avoid a truck’s blind spots, it is often impossible in heavy traffic. However, it is important to note that these blind spots do not diminish a trucker’s duty to operate their vehicle safely.
If you sustained an injury in a blind spot accident, a skilled truck crash attorney could review your claim and guide you on your next step. You have the right to seek compensation for injuries caused by a negligent truck driver, and a Sandy Springs blind spot truck accident lawyer could be helpful to your case.
Tractor Trailer Blind Spots
Commercial trucks weigh in at close to 80,000 pounds and are over 70 feet long. Their operators ride several feet higher than passenger vehicles. The size differences between these two types of vehicles cause significant visibility issues for truck operators, which has led the FMCSA to designate “No Zones” around an 18-wheeler. These zones are areas where drivers should avoid remaining in while traveling on Sandy Springs roadways. There are four no zones:
- In front of a truck;
- Behind the truck;
- On the driver’s side; and
- On the passenger’s side.
The no zone in front of the truck extends 20 feet from the hood of the commercial vehicle. Given the height of the truck cab, it is difficult for a truck operator to see directly in front of the cab. In fact, the blind spot is often large enough to obscure a small car completely.
The blind spot on each side of the vehicle varies. While the passenger-side blind spot extends the entire length of the trailer, the no zone on the driver’s side is smaller. This blind spot begins from the driver’s side door and extends roughly half the length of the trailer.
The rear blind spot is especially dangerous, given the difficulty operates have in seeing what is directly behind them. This blind spot is especially dangerous, as the injuries suffered when a passenger vehicle rear-ends a commercial truck can be catastrophic.
Damages Available in a Sandy Springs Lawsuit
These no zones are designed to protect the occupants of passenger vehicles, but they do not shift the burden of driving safely away from a truck operator. If the trucker negligently collides with another vehicle in their blind spot, they could be face liability for the damages they cause. A Sandy Springs blind spot truck accident attorney could hold a negligent trucker accountable by filing a civil lawsuit on behalf of an injured individual.
When a plaintiff prevails at trial, there are numerous types of damages available to them, including:
- Medical bills;
- Lost wages;
- Diminished future earning capacity;
- Loss of consortium;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disability; and
- Disfigurement.
While punitive damages are rare in negligence cases, juries will award them if the negligent party’s actions were especially egregious. A blind spot truck accident lawyer from Sandy Springs could provide guidance on whether punitive damages are appropriate in a specific case.
Contact a Sandy Springs Blind Spot Truck Accident Lawyer
If you are a victim of a blind spot truck accident, it is critical that you protect your legal rights. You are entitled to pursue a civil suit against the negligent truck operator, but the opportunity to do so will not last forever.
If you are ready to hold the driver that caused your wreck accountable, let a Sandy Springs blind spot truck accident lawyer guide your case through the court system. Call today and schedule your free consultation.
