Blind-spot, or no-zone, truck crashes occur when a tractor-trailer hits a smaller vehicle positioned in an area that the trucker cannot see with their mirrors. While all vehicles have blind spots, these are substantially bigger in 18-wheelers.
Because semi-trucks are so much larger than cars, this type of collision can be especially severe, often leaving the smaller vehicle’s occupants with catastrophic injuries. You should contact our firm to speak with an experienced truck wreck attorney if you have questions about blind-spot truck accidents in Houston.
What Are No-Zones?
The areas around heavy commercial vehicles—such as tractor-trailers and buses—that the driver cannot easily see into are called blind spots, or no-zones. Regular passenger cars or motorcycles are at greater risk of a collision when driving within these areas, as the trucker may not see them there.
A truck’s blind spots are especially hazardous during lane changes, turns, and merging. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a commercial vehicle’s no-zones are as follows.
Front of Vehicle
There is a blind spot directly in front of the vehicle, from the tractor-trailer’s hood to the bumper. This area can be up to 20 feet long, and a smaller passenger car can fit there, completely invisible to the semi-truck driver.
Driver’s Side
The truck driver’s no-zone on the left side extends from the door to the midpoint of the trailer. If you are driving in this area and cannot see the operator’s face in the side mirror, they cannot see you either. This is a hazardous situation that could quickly lead to a collision.
Passenger’s Side
The most significant and dangerous blind spot on an 18-wheeler is the one on the passenger’s side. This no-zone extends the length of the tractor-trailer and can span two or more lanes of traffic. Avoiding this area as much as possible is crucial for all motorists to stay safe while traveling near tractor-trailers on roads and highways.
Rear of Truck
The no-zone at the rear of the truck is large, extending up to 200 feet starting at the truck’s bumper. The trucker typically cannot see smaller passenger cars or motorcycles within this area.
Anyone driving within these no-zones is at risk, as the big rig operator often will not see them there before changing lanes or braking. After a Houston blind-spot truck crash, our attorneys can investigate to determine the cause and who is liable.
Safety Tips for Motorists
Motorists in Houston can help keep themselves safe and avoid blind-spot semi-truck collisions by taking certain precautions. Remember the following safety tips when you are driving near a truck:
- Avoid lingering in the truck’s blind spots
- Maintain a safe distance of at least the length of one car when following a tractor-trailer
- Remember that if you cannot see the trucker in the side mirror, they likely cannot see you either
- When passing, do so as quickly as possible and ensure you are fully visible to a trucker before merging
Watching for the truck’s signals is also crucial so that you can anticipate stops, turns, and sudden lane changes. Remembering these tips, as well as knowing where the no-zones are, can help you prevent truck-related accidents, which account for many of the severe and fatal collisions on roadways nationwide.
Speak to a Houston Attorney About Blind-Spot Big Rig Collisions
While all vehicles have blind spots—which are a common cause of many accidents—these areas are particularly significant on heavy commercial vehicles and pose substantial risks to those traveling within them. Ultimately, the trucker is responsible for checking each of their blind spots before maneuvering.
However, you can help prevent collisions by knowing where these no-zones are and avoiding them. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with our proficient lawyers for more information about blind-spot truck accidents in Houston.