When you are near a truck on the highway, you should be wary of no-zone accidents. A no-zone accident usually involves 18-wheelers. All truck accidents can be pretty severe, also causing severe injuries. However, no-zone accidents can be exceptionally so, even fatal in some instances, as the driver cannot see other vehicles in these accidents.
According to the United States Department of Transportation, as many as 413,000 automobile accidents are caused by truck blind spot accidents each year. An alarming 160,000 deaths occur as a result of these no-zone accidents. This article explores what a no-zone area is, how to avoid them, and who is responsible for them.
What Is a No-Zone Area?
A truck’s no-zone areas are the blind spots around the car where the driver cannot see other vehicles. If you are familiar with truck-driving, you would realize there are a few spots where it is hard to see other cars from.
Some of the most common injuries that occur as a result of a no-zone accident include:
- Back injury
- Bone fracture
- Scrapes and cuts from broken glass
- Crushing or amputation injuries
- Concussions
- Facial Lacerations and scarring
- Hand and wrist injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Limb loss
- Nerve damage
- Seat belt injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash injuries
- Wrist injuries
In some cases, no-zone accidents could even lead to death.
Where Are the No-Zone Areas?
The following areas are blindspots where the truck driver cannot see:
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Directly in Front of the Truck
If you are not very tall, you would probably have had to lean forward a bit to see the vehicle in front of you while taking driving lessons. The problem is not that the truck driver is too short to see the road. Trucks’ cabs are so high that the driver could miss a smaller vehicle, even a person right in front of him/her.
It is essential for drivers of other vehicles not to merge in front of a truck unnecessarily. You must leave some room between the rear end of your car and the front of the trailer. If you do this, it gets more accessible for the truck driver to notice you and take the necessary action to avoid an accident.
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At the Truck’s Sides
It might be strange to realize that this is a blind spot for truck drivers, mainly if you’re used to the mirror of your smaller vehicle being good enough for you to see the sides of your car. As trucks are practically enormous, the side mirrors do not often show the cars at their sides.
To ensure that you’re taking all safety precautions, you should ensure that you can spot the driver’s face through his mirror. The general rule is, “If you can see him, he can see you.”
- At the Truck’s Rear
Truck drivers cannot see vehicles that are directly behind them. As such, rear-end collisions are some of the most common truck accidents. Accidents could be as severe as the driver sliding under the truck if the trucker hits the brakes. Drivers of smaller vehicles must leave some room between themselves and the rear of trucks to avoid collisions.
- Wide Right Turns
You have probably had to wait for a truck to make a turn. These usually take a lot of time and precision because of the large size of the vehicle. When there is a tight turn, it is even harder for even the most experienced truck drivers to maneuver.
They would have to swing left just to make a complete right turn. With all the truck’s numerous blind spots, it might be hard for the driver to see the vehicle on its sides, at its rear, or front. If you’re within the turning radius of a truck, you should maintain your distance until it completes its turn.
Is the Truck Driver at Fault in No-Zone Accidents?
While it is true that no-zones are the truck driver’s blind spots, all drivers are still responsible for checking their blind spots. A truck driver should not make a turn, change lanes, or merge with traffic without being aware of other vehicles around it.
When truckers drive recklessly, a crash can occur. As a result, the victims could hold the motorist responsible. However, when the smaller vehicle driver also does not take necessary precautions, they could also be held liable for the no-zone accident.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today!
Have you been involved in a no-zone accident? Our truck accident lawyers at Pinder Plotkin LLC will handle your case. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you claim the compensation you deserve.
