Because they are larger than most other vehicles on the road, commercial trucks have sizable blind spots that prevent their drivers from easily seeing nearby cars. While it is good practice to avoid these areas when driving near a tractor-trailer, truck operators also have a duty to be aware of their limited visibility. If they fail to check blind spots before turning or switching lanes, they can cause serious harm to other motorists and passengers.
Recovering compensation following a blind spot truck accident in Cincinnati can be difficult in some cases, depending on the circumstances of the collision and allocation of fault. However, if you are pursuing civil litigation for your traffic wreck injuries, an experienced truck accident lawyer can work on your behalf toward minimizing the impact of contributory negligence and maximizing the amount of compensation you can recover.
Failure to Check Truck Blind Spots Constitutes Negligence
The exact dimensions vary for each individual vehicle, but most commercial tractor-trailers have limited visibility in the following areas:
- About 20 feet beyond the cab’s front bumper
- About 30 feet beyond the trailer’s rear bumper
- The entire traffic lane next to the driver, from under the driver’s side window to the back of the trailer
- Two entire traffic lanes on the passenger side of the truck, from the side window to the rear of the vehicle
In order to minimize their risk of causing blind spot accidents, truck drivers in Cincinnati and elsewhere are supposed to consistently check their mirrors on both sides. They are also advised to accelerate and decelerate carefully and make sure the roadway is completely clear before switching lanes or making wide turns.
Unfortunately, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that about a third of commercial truck accidents involving commuter vehicles occur due to blind spots. If a truck operator causes this kind of traffic collision by failing to drive carefully, driving under the influence, or driving while distracted, any Cincinnati resident injured as a result could pursue civil litigation with the help of a
hardworking attorney.
Potential Obstacles to Recovery in Cincinnati Blind Spot Collisions
In order to avoid financial responsibility in civil suits for semi-trailer crashes, truck drivers and trucking companies often try to argue that the plaintiff had a responsibility to avoid the blind spots of the large commercial vehicle and negligently failed to do so. Courts have the authority to reduce recoverable compensation—or potentially bar recovery altogether—for any plaintiff found partially responsible for causing their own injuries, so it is important to seek aggressive representation from a nearby lawyer to help minimize this risk.
Additionally,
Ohio Revised Code §2305.10 sets a filing deadline of just two years on most personal injury claims, including those stemming from blind spot truck crashes. Because certain effects from traffic collisions may take longer to manifest, an injured victim should reach out to a legal professional for advice on
expected future damages.
Retain a Cincinnati Attorney for Blind Spot Truck Accident Claims
Blind spot crashes are some of the most common types of truck accidents in the United States, but unfortunately they can also make for complex civil cases. If you wish to effectively pursue compensation after a blind spot truck accident in Cincinnati, you should speak with a skilled personal injury attorney sooner rather than later.
Representation from dedicated legal counsel could make all the difference in how your case proceeds and what damages you can recover. To schedule an initial consultation about your particular circumstances,
call today.
