Tractor Trailers and Blind Spots

Tractor trailers have multiple blind spots, which are larger than those on passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, this makes it difficult for truck drivers to see other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians near or around their trucks. As a result, limited visibility due to blind spots or failure to check blind spots can lead to many truck accidents in Oklahoma every year.

Where are the blind spots on a tractor trailer?

When compared to passenger vehicles, tractor trailers have more blind spots that extend several feet beyond the vehicle, particularly if they are not equipped with the correct mirrors. Here are four of the main blind spots that are located on a tractor trailer:

1. The right side below the mirror: This blind spot is located on the passenger side of the tractor trailer. It extends from the area below the side mirrors on the cab all the way back to the trailer on the right side. Many people believe that this is the most dangerous blind spot because vehicles driving on the right side of the trucker are not visible to the driver for long periods of time. To make matters worse, it can impact the trucker’s visibility across several lanes to the right.
2. The left side below the mirror: This blind spot is located on the driver’s side of the tractor trailer. It extends from the side mirrors on the cab all the way back to the trailer on the left side. Due to this blind spot, drivers who are driving to the left of the truck are at an increased risk of an accident when the truck driver is making a left-hand turn or switching lanes to the left.
3. The front of the truck: Many people do not realize how dangerous it is to abruptly move over in front of a truck or slam on brakes suddenly when driving directly in front of a truck. The reason for this is that 18-wheelers have a blind spot in the front of their vehicle, which can extend up to 20 feet. Therefore, if you are driving too close to and directly in front of a truck, it is important to know that the truck driver most likely cannot see you due to this blind spot.
4. The back area of the truck: The blind spot located behind the tractor trailer is one of the largest, extending up to 200 feet. This blind spot prevents truckers from clearly seeing the area located directly behind their vehicle. Therefore, if you are driving, bicycling, or even walking too closely to a big rig that has their vehicle in reverse, there is a strong chance that the truck driver is unable to see you. In addition, if you are on a busy highway driving behind a trucker, they may make dangerous maneuvers without realizing that you are behind them.

Are there federal regulations related to blind spots?

Unfortunately, there are no federal regulations related to blind spots on trucks at this time. Instead, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched a few different campaigns, such as a No-Zone Campaign and Our Roads, Our Responsibility Campaign, to increase awareness of truck blind spots. The FMCSA also provides tips on how to refrain from entering a truck driver’s blind spots as well as how to share the roads with large semi-trucks in hopes of reducing truck accidents, injuries, and fatalities on the roadways.

How to prove that a truck driver was negligent in blind spot collisions

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident due to the truck driver failing to check their blind spots, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. However, you must be able to prove that the truck driver acted negligently by failing to check their blind spots, which caused your accident. The best way to prove this is by hiring an experienced Tulsa truck accident lawyer. Your lawyer will help you collect convincing evidence to support your claim, advocate for your legal rights, and fight for the compensation you need to get your life back on track again. Some of the evidence they may recommend collecting includes:

• Surveillance footage
• Eyewitnesses
• Expert witnesses
• Photos
• Videos
• Dash cam footage
• Black box data

In addition to failing to check his or her blind spots, a truck driver or trucking company may also be found to have acted negligently if the vehicle wasn’t equipped properly.  Collecting photos of the tractor and trailer immediately after the collision can determine whether the vehicle had mirrors, which, if positioned correctly, can help minimize or eliminate the blind spots referenced above. While not mandated, many trucking companies are now utilizing the following mirrors in addition to the standard flat/side-view mirrors.

• Convex mirrors are curved mirrors placed directly below the flat/side-view mirrors, which provide an extended, panoramic view of either side of a truck, effectively eliminating any blind spot.
• Hood/fender mirrors are situated at the front of the truck on the hood or front fender to give the truck driver an enhanced view down the side of their truck and trailer, particularly in the areas in front of their flat/side-view mirrors since the hood/fender mirrors are placed directly in front of that common blind spot.
• Digital rearview mirrors, of which there are many variations, are placed at the back of the truck and normally have a display inside the cab that allows the trucker a view of what is directly behind him or her. Akin to a normal passenger vehicle’s “backup camera,” this increasingly utilized camera helps compensate for a tractor’s lack of a rearview mirror.

An attorney can also assist you with proving that you did not contribute to the accident. This is important because the opposing counsel may argue that you were driving in the trucker’s blind spot even though you knew that they could not see you. Oklahoma is a modified comparative negligence state, which means that you can only receive compensation if you are 49% or less at fault for the crash. In other words, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident, you can still seek compensation, but it will be reduced by 20%.

Safety tips for driving near a tractor trailer

When driving near tractor trailers in Tulsa or any other city, it is important to keep in mind your safety and that of your passengers. The following are six important safety tips that may help you avoid a crash with a truck driver:

1. If you need to pass a semi-truck, it is recommended to always do so on their left side. Do this as quickly as possible (without speeding), as you do not want to be in the truck driver’s left-side blind spot for too long.
2. Remember that if you cannot see the trucker through their side mirror, the rule of thumb is that they cannot see you either. Therefore, if you are driving close to an 18-wheeler and are unable to see the driver, you are likely in their blind spot and should move out of it as soon as it is safe to do so.
3. Never move over in front of a truck driver abruptly or cut them off. If you do this, they will most likely not be able to see you or react to your sudden lane change in time, which could result in a traumatic and devastating crash.
4. Do not forget that truck drivers require more time and distance to slow down and stop. This is because their vehicle and cargo load are large and heavy. Therefore, if you are driving in front of a semi-truck and slam on brakes, they will likely not be able to make a complete stop before rear-ending or colliding with you.
5. Big rigs require more room to make turns as they typically swing wide, which requires the trucker to move toward the middle lane to make a turn. Therefore, if you notice that a commercial truck has a turn signal on, you should never try to hurry and make your way around it. Instead, you should remain patient and allow the truck enough time and space to make its turn.
6. If you are driving behind an 18-wheeler, stay patient and give as much space and distance as possible. Do not tailgate or follow too closely to the truck, as this will only put you inside their blind spot. In addition, if you follow too closely and the truck hits its brakes, you become at risk of going up underneath the trailer.

Contact our Tulsa attorneys now

The Tulsa truck accident attorneys at Biby Law Firm Injury and Accident Lawyers have years of experience with truck accident cases involving blind spots. You can rest assured knowing that we can help you pursue the best course of action for your situation and circumstances. Please call our office or submit our contact form to request a free consultation and learn how we can help you obtain justice and fair compensation today.