A blind spot trucking accident occurs when a smaller vehicle is traveling in one of the many areas a truck driver cannot see while operating a semi truck (or eighteen wheeler). Trucking accidents are all too common and can be devastating for victims in smaller vehicles. When the driver of a semi truck cannot see a vehicle near them, collisions can occur as the driver accelerates, changes lanes, brakes, or performs other maneuvers. The initial blind spot collision may cause secondary crashes as the vehicles block lanes, spin out of control, or stop suddenly.
Blind spots represent a major safety issue that affects trucks and those on the road with them, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Blind spot accidents are a danger both when a truck is driving straight and when it is making a wide turn.
Massachusetts Blind Spot Accident Attorney Tracy Paulsen represents injured victims throughout Bristol County, Boston, Plymouth County, Norfolk County, and the entire Commonwealth. As the founder and managing attorney of Rightful Legal, Attorney Paulsen has devoted her career to protecting the rights of those injured because of others’ negligence, including in serious truck accidents and motor vehicle collisions.
With more than 15 years of experience handling personal injury claims for the people of Massachusetts, Attorney Paulsen and her team are relentless in pursuing justice and the maximum possible compensation for clients harmed in blind spot crashes. Rightful Legal is not afraid to take on powerful trucking companies or their insurance carriers, fighting to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other financial and emotional losses.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a blind spot truck accident, do not wait to get help with your case. Contact Attorney Tracy Paulsen at Rightful Legal for a free, confidential case consultation. This no-obligation meeting with our team gives you the chance to share your blind spot crash story, learn about the legal process, and understand your options for recovery. Attorney Paulsen’s goal is simple: to help you secure fair compensation so you can focus on healing from your injuries and rebuilding your life.
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Blind spot trucking accidents are complex and have many causes.
Semi trucks are massive vehicles, with an outsized impact on others on the road. The FMCSA warns that the extreme weight and size of commercial trucks make them a unique safety challenge. These trucks weigh up to twenty to thirty times what a passenger vehicle weighs, making them difficult to maneuver and drastically increasing the damage they do in an accident.
Truck drivers may cause blind spot accidents by making sudden movements, failing to take proper safety precautions, turning unsafely, or changing lanes inappropriately. Other truck driver causes of blind spot crashes include:
Road conditions like obstructions, bad weather, and potholes can also contribute to trucking accidents, including blind spot crashes. Truck equipment failure, like inadequate brakes, worn tires, and improperly functioning mirrors can also contribute.
A commercial truck has numerous large blind spots, also called no-zones. These blind spots occur on every side of a truck and are not obvious to those who have never driven a large vehicle.
The front of a commercial truck is a large blind spot. Truck drivers are completely unable to see objects from their grill to about 20 feet in front of the truck. This is enough space for at least one vehicle to completely disappear from a trucker’s view, which can cause devastating head-on collisions.
The back of a semi truck is another huge blind spot. Trucks tow tractor trailers, which do not allow for a rear view mirror or rear windshield. A truck driver cannot see objects for nearly 200 feet behind the truck. Hazards, vehicles, road conditions, and other issues directly behind a truck are completely invisible to the driver.
Finally, eighteen wheelers have a large blind spot on each side. While trucks have large side view mirrors, they do not cover the side of the cab or front portion of the trailer. These huge no-zones extend out at an angle from the front of a truck, cutting across two lanes of traffic alongside the truck. These blind spots raise huge dangers when a driver turns or changes lanes, as the driver may be completely unaware of vehicles to either side.
A good rule of thumb is that if you cannot see the face of a truck driver, the truck driver cannot see you.
A collision in a truck’s blind spot may be minor, resolving on its own, or devastating, changing your life forever. For some, these crashes are tragically fatal. Common injuries following a blind spot truck accident may include:
If you are suffering from these or other injuries after a blind spot accident, you do not have to fight for justice alone. You deserve compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and other disruptions to your life. Attorney Paulsen and the Rightful Legal team are here to help.
Yes, some blind spot trucking accidents are preventable.
Truck drivers can prevent blind spot accidents by following all safety regulations, driving sober and well rested, abiding by posted speed limits, leaving appropriate space between themselves and other vehicles, checking mirrors, and avoiding sudden maneuvers.
Others on the road are in many ways at the mercy of these larger vehicles. However, passenger vehicle drivers can help keep themselves safe by knowing truck blind spots and avoiding them when possible. It is best to stay at least 20 feet in front of a truck, leave a following distance of about 200 feet behind the truck, and avoid driving alongside the cab or the front of the trailer. Passenger vehicle drivers should also be prepared for trucks to make wide turns, with no ability to see the lanes they are turning across.
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If you or a loved one were involved in a blind spot accident with a trucker and injured as a result, Attorney Tracy Paulsen understands the pain and disruption you are experiencing. She also knows how difficult it is for those who have lost a loved one in a truck accident. You should know that you may have the right to bring a lawsuit to receive compensation for what you have lost.
Attorney Tracy Paulsen has dedicated her career to obtaining justice for injured clients in Massachusetts, from Bristol County, the Boston area, Plymouth County, and beyond. She founded her personal injury law firm, Rightful Legal, to provide trusted, dedicated legal advocacy for every client. Attorney Paulsen and her team are known for their compassion, integrity, and personalized approach. Each client receives the time, respect, and attention they deserve. You will never be treated like just another file number. Attorney Paulsen’s passion for justice drives her to take on major trucking corporations and to stand up for injured Massachusetts residents.
At Rightful Legal, we understand how devastating blind spot truck accidents can be physically, emotionally, and financially. You should not have to fight large transportation companies or their insurers alone, especially when they try to downplay your injuries or unfairly limit your compensation. Attorney Paulsen and her team work diligently on behalf of clients to gather critical evidence, document the full extent of your losses, and prepare a compelling case for settlement or (if necessary) trial.
From your first consultation to the final outcome, Rightful Legal will fight relentlessly for the fair compensation you deserve. And because you pay nothing unless we win, you can focus on healing while we focus on getting you justice.
You should act quickly to protect your blind spot accident claim. In Massachusetts, there is a firm deadline for bringing personal injury claims, like claims for blind spot trucking accident injuries. This strict deadline is known as the statute of limitations, and it only allows you three years from the date you knew, or reasonably should have known, about your injury to bring your claim. This usually means that time begins to run out on the day of the accident.
It is easy to talk to Rightful Legal about your blind spot accident. Attorney Tracy Paulsen and her team offer each potential client a free consultation to discuss their case, learn about their legal options, and help them make informed decisions. We want to listen to you and determine how we can help in the aftermath of your blind spot accident.Call / Text Rightful Legal Right Away at 617-821-5856 or contact our Massachusetts Blind Spot Accident Victim Attorneys Online.