Blind Spot Truck Accidents in Hutto
Every motor vehicle has “blind spots” where the driver cannot easily see pedestrians, obstacles, and even entire commuter cars near them, and commercial tractor-trailers have the biggest blind spots of virtually any vehicle on the road. Unfortunately, that means that truckers who fail to check their blind spots before turning or changing lanes are especially likely to cause collisions and serious injuries.
If a blind spot truck accident in Hutto has left you severely hurt and dealing with financial and personal losses, you may have grounds to file suit over the incident and demand fair compensation for your many losses. However, if you want a good shot at getting a positive result from your claim, you will almost certainly need help from a truck accident attorney experienced with fighting—and winning—similar cases in the past.
Are Normal Drivers Responsible for Avoiding a Truck’s Blind Spots?
There are four major blind spots on the average tractor-trailer: the 20 feet of space in front of the cab’s front bumper, the 30 feet of space behind the trailer’s rear bumper, diagonally out about one traffic lane from the driver’s side door to the back of the trailer, and diagonally out about two traffic lanes from the passenger’s side door to the back of the trailer. The larger mirrors and modern collision detection systems that semi-trucks have are meant to help responsible truck drivers check their blind spots while driving, but it is not uncommon for truckers to fail to do this and end up causing catastrophic wrecks.
However, other drivers on the road also have a “duty” under the law to know where a truck’s blind spots are and stay out of these areas whenever possible. Therefore, if a Hutto court decides that a blind spot truck accident victim is partially liable for their own injuries because they were coasting inside a truck’s blind spot for an unreasonably long time, that court may wind up reducing this person’s compensation or even barring them from recovery altogether. Guidance from seasoned legal counsel can be key to understanding how this “comparative fault” system works and fighting allegations of shared blame for a trucking accident.
Recovering for All Available Damages
When a Hutto plaintiff can successfully prove a truck driver and/or the company which employed them liable for a blind spot crash, they can usually demand restitution for their economic and non-economic losses. Common examples of compensation include repayment for:
- All past and future medical bills
- Lost work income and/or working capacity
- Car replacement/repair costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost consortium
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Lost enjoyment of life
Even if this kind of crash results in permanent and debilitating injuries, state law typically restricts plaintiffs to a maximum of two years after initially getting hurt to begin the civil litigation process. This means contacting a qualified legal professional should be a top priority for anyone injured in this way.
Get in Touch with a Hutto Attorney After a Blind Spot Truck Accident
Failing to check your blind spots while driving can easily lead to you colliding with another car, and the risk of a blind spot crash increases when a commercial truck is involved. If you were hit and injured by a trucker who did not properly check their blind spots, taking prompt legal action against them can be vital to protecting your long-term best interests.
A capable lawyer can be a vital ally every step of the way when you are handling blind spot truck accidents in Hutto. Call today for a consultation.
