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Blind spot accidents happen with trucks in Oak Lawn when a semi-truck changes lanes and a car is in its blind spot. Trucks can make unsafe lane changes when cars are in their blind spot. Even if a truck driver checks their mirrors and visually inspects their surroundings, an accident may still occur if another vehicle is in his blind spot.
If you or a loved one were injured in a tractor-trailer collision due to the negligent actions of another, an Oak Lawn blind spot truck accident lawyer could help you seek compensation. Speak to a knowledgeable truck accident attorney to learn about how you could protect your rights.
Semi-tractor truck drivers are more prone to becoming involved in a blind spot accident with another vehicle because they are much larger and designed differently than passenger cars. Truck drivers use their mirrors to be aware of other vehicles on the roadway. Even with mirrors, there are certain blind spots. A blind spot is an area where the driver cannot see, and the mirrors do not cover. Because of these blind spots, truck drivers sometimes make lane changes when it is not safe to do so. If a car is in a truck’s blind spot, the driver may not be aware it is unsafe to change lanes. This results in many unsafe lane change accidents.
Many trucks have warnings on them, which tell drivers where the blind spots are located. Following a collision, a truck driver may claim, in defense, that they warned the car of the blind spot, but the car disregarded the warning. This is not a strong defense, but it does present a question of fact for a jury. Regardless of warnings, cars should try to avoid driving in a truck’s blind spot. A seasoned blind spot truck accident lawyer in Oak Lawn could fight against these claims to ensure the injured victim could recover the compensation they deserve.
The most common effect of a blind spot truck accident is property damage. Because of the size disparity between trucks and cars, the car usually sustains greater property damage. More serious, however, are the personal injuries that may occur. The driver of a car struck by a semi-truck may sustain severe injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In order to make a recovery against a semi-tractor trailer truck in a blind spot accident, the injured claimant’s attorney has to prove that the truck was at fault. If the driver of the car is found to have been the cause of the accident, they are not entitled to recover damages. An accident can be more than one person’s fault. For example, an accident may be partially the fault of the car and partially the fault of the truck driver. A jury takes into consideration what percentage of fault is attributable to each of the vehicles involved. For more information, consult with a dedicated lawyer.
Trucks have blind spots in several locations. A truck driver can see in front but they do not have eyes in the back of their head. Therefore, they must use mirrors to see behind themselves. If the truck is clearly advising drivers to avoid unsafe behavior while in the truck’s marked blind spots, the truck driver can still be negligent.
If you have been injured in a truck accident due to the negligent actions of another, you may be eligible to seek compensation. An Oak Lawn blind spot truck accident lawyer could help your case. Call today to schedule a consultation.