Driving near commercial trucks presents many risks. In a collision between a passenger car and a large truck, the car will always lose. One of the many things that make big rigs dangerous is their large blind spots. Every tractor-trailer has four large blind spots around it known as the “No Zone.” Recognizing and avoiding these areas can help you prevent a serious truck accident.
Where Are a Large Truck’s Blind Spots?
Blind spots are areas around a motor vehicle that a driver cannot see when looking in the rearview and side mirrors. Other cars that are in these areas are virtually invisible to the driver. Due to the long length of a tractor-trailer, truck drivers have enormous blind spots that endanger surrounding drivers. The No Zone surrounding an 18-wheeler extends to all four sides:
- The rear of the truck (by about 30 feet)
- The front of the truck (by about 20 feet)
- The left of the truck (by at least one lane)
- The right of the truck (by at least two lanes)
While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) no longer lists exact distances, these are the four areas to avoid. They are collectively called the No Zone because other motor vehicle drivers should stay out of them. Hovering in a truck driver’s blind spot increases the risk of a lane-change or merge accident. A truck driver may not see a smaller car in one of its blind spots, which may cause a collision.
How to Stay Safe When Driving Near Commercial Trucks
It is often impossible to avoid commercial trucks while driving on highways in New Mexico. If you find yourself driving near or around a large truck, take steps to enhance your safety. You may be able to prevent a truck accident with the following tips:
- Recognize and avoid the No Zone. Do your best not to stay in a truck’s blind spot. Pass a truck as quickly and safely as possible on its left side. Never pass a truck to the right.
- Look for the truck driver’s face. If you cannot see the truck driver’s face in the side mirror, assume that you are in a blind spot and the driver cannot see you.
- Be especially careful when merging. When you are merging near a large truck, you will most likely be in its blind spot. Adjust your speed to get in front of or behind the truck as quickly as possible.
Avoid following too closely (tailgating) a large truck. If the truck driver hits the brakes, you may not have time to stop before colliding with the back of the truck. This may cause a catastrophic underride accident, where your car gets wedged beneath the trailer.
Who Is Liable for an Accident Caused by Blind Spots?
If you get into a truck accident in New Mexico because of the truck’s blind spots, it can be difficult to determine liability, or financial responsibility, for the crash. The truck driver may be liable if he or she did not properly check blind spots and give ample warning before changing lanes. The truck company might also be at fault if it did not install extra mirrors on the truck or take other steps to reasonably prevent the crash.
In New Mexico, the pure comparative negligence law states that even if you were partially at fault for a truck accident, you can recover financial compensation for your losses. Your financial recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. As long as you are allocated less than 99 percent of fault, you will be eligible for compensation from the other party. This may be the truck driver, trucking company or a third party, depending on the circumstances. Contact an attorney at The Fine Law Firm for a free case consultation if you get injured in a truck accident.