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Big rigs and large trucks have several blind spots due to their size and height. These are referred to as “No-Zones.” In order to stay safe while driving, it is important to be aware of these blind spots to keep everyone on the road safer.
That is all four sides of the truck! Since we can’t avoid sharing the road with semi-truck drivers, we can take the following precautions to ensure our safety on the road.
Truck drivers DO NOT have a rearview mirror. Therefore, they depend heavily on their side mirrors while driving. While driving, we often want to pass semi-trucks. However, keep in mind that trucks can be slow, kick up rocks that damage our windshield, and can apply their breaks without warning. These are three reasons to remember the 3-second rule. When the semi passes a fixed point, you should be able to count to 3 before you pass that same point.
Remember: a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that one-third of all traffic accidents are rear-end car crashes.
The passenger side of the big rig is more than three-fourths the size of the truck’s trailer. Nearly 300,000 traffic-related accidents are related to merging. When considering merging, make sure to check your own blind spots but remember that larger vehicles have larger blind spots. Avoid merging on hills or curves if you are close to other vehicles, particularly next to semis, as they will have a harder time seeing you.
The driver’s side has the smallest blind spot on the truck. However, that blind spot is still the size of a standard SUV. We tend to think that trucks or slower-moving vehicles will stay in the right lane, and, for the most part, they do, but in instances of merging or lane closures, trucks must also change lanes. Remember if you can’t see the truck driver in their mirrors, they can’t see you.
Cutting off a semi-truck may seem like a good idea if you are in a hurry and zipping through traffic, but it could be the last thing you do. The No-Zone for the front of a truck is 20 feet; however, the average car length is 14.7 feet. If you are directly in front of the truck, they likely will never see you.
The best way to avoid the front blind spot is to keep a safe driving distance between you and the driver in front of you, as well as when merging in front of a large truck. Make sure to be at least two car lengths ahead of them.
If you or a loved one were injured in a large truck accident, call today to chat with our experienced legal team. Our San Jose personal injury attorneys will investigate the facts and fight the insurance companies on your behalf.
Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys is here to help. We’re ready to protect your rights and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
As members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, we have proven our ability to negotiate and litigate on behalf of our clients successfully. Retain us to put our tactical strategies to work for you. These skills are what make our legal team such a formidable opponent in any courtroom or negotiation setting.