Every driver must deal with blind spots. The designs of our vehicles unfortunately limit our view in areas to the sides and rear of our cars. By the use of mirrors, cameras, and careful attention, accidents and collisions are avoided. However, if a driver is reckless and fails to ensure there are no other vehicles or pedestrians in their blind spots, accidents occur.
Truck drivers face the same issues on a much more significant scale. Their vehicles are larger, their blind spots are substantially bigger, and the potential hazard is that much greater. Accidents due to truck drivers recklessly ignoring their blind spots result in serious injuries and fatalities. If you or a loved one was injured or if a loved one was killed as a result of a truck driver’s negligence, contact our Baltimore truck accident caused by a blind spot lawyer. The experienced lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras will work diligently to represent you or your loved ones. Call (410) 694-7291 today to schedule a free consultation.
Truck Blind Spots Risks
Every vehicle on the road has areas where visibility is limited or restricted. the blind spots on trucks are much greater in area, reducing visibility in front of the cab, directly behind the trailer, and along both sides of the trailer. Some truck driver blind spots stretch 20 to 30 feet. In fact, multiple cars can drive alongside or behind some trucks without the driver being able to see any of them directly, and the driver must rely on convex mirrors and cameras to see the other vehicles.
Blind Spot Accidents Involving Trucks on Baltimore Roadways
Accidents occur when a truck driver is careless or is not paying close attention to their surroundings. Common accidents caused by ignoring blind spots happen when truck drivers collide with other vehicles while changing lanes or merging. Blind spots can also contribute to an accident if a truck driver is driving aggressively. For example, tailgating occurs when a driver drives excessively close to the vehicle in front of them. If a truck driver is tailgating the vehicle in front, it could become entirely lost to the driver’s direct line of sight in the blind spot in front of the truck’s cab.
Truck drivers that are tired or who feel pressure to reach their destination faster may fail to take the reasonable precautions necessary to operate their vehicle safely.
Similarly, aggressive driving fueled by anger or road rage directed towards another driver could lead a truck driver to make a negligent maneuver and collide with another vehicle. If you believe a truck driver’s behavior contributed to or caused an accident you were involved in, contact our Baltimore attorney.
Determining Negligence in Baltimore Truck Accidents Involving Blind Spots
Trucks are substantially larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road, presenting a greater risk of severe damage and injury should an accident occur. Truck drivers have a duty to drive their trucks safely and to avoid endangering other drivers. Deviating from this duty could be negligent if an accident occurs. Some examples of negligent conduct include driving a truck…
- while failing to properly check blind spots before making a maneuver
- without the necessary mirrors installed
- without adequately adjusting the mirrors
- without qualifications or proper training
- while overly tired
- while intoxicated or while taking drugs
- with improperly installed avoidance technology
Liability for Accidents in Baltimore
Multiple parties could be held liable if you were injured in an accident involving a truck driver who had restricted visibility. The truck driver would be the most obvious individual responsible, especially if the driver’s conduct in operating the vehicle was negligent or reckless.
Additionally, the company that employed the driver could share accountability or be independently accountable if it failed to hire, train, or supervise its employees appropriately. Similarly, allowing a driver to continue to operate a truck after several moving violations or complaints of unsafe driving could lead to the trucking company being liable for any injuries or harm the driver caused. Furthermore, the trucking company may have neglected its responsibility to properly maintain the truck. the Baltimore attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras will examine all possibilities and evaluate each party’s potential liability.
When determining liability, another important consideration is that in Baltimore, personal injury law follows the contributory negligence doctrine. This means that if you contributed to causing the accident in any way, the driver of the truck will not be held financially responsible for your injuries. For example, if you were tailgating while driving behind the truck or you attempted to improperly pass on the right when the accident occurred, a jury could find that your conduct helped cause the accident. We will need to examine all of the factors and details of your accident to prepare for the event that the defendant raises this defense.
Call Our Baltimore Truck Accident Caused by a Blind Spot Lawyer to Schedule a Free Consultation
Accidents involving trucks can lead to substantial damage to your car and serious injuries to you or your passengers. If you or a loved one was injured or if a loved one was killed due to a truck driver’s reckless behavior and failure to check their blind spots, call our Baltimore lawyer for truck accidents caused by blind spots today. Our experienced injury attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras understand the challenges associated with liability law surrounding truck accidents, and we may be able to help you with your case. Call (410) 694-7291 today to schedule a free consultation.