18-wheelers traveling on interstate highways can stretch up to 80 feet long across their cab and trailer combined, which means they’re by far the largest vehicles on local roadways. Unfortunately, this means the “blind spots”—the areas immediately around a motor vehicle that the driver can’t directly see from their seat—on semi-trucks are extremely large as well. These areas can hide multiple other vehicles from the driver’s view.
Because of this, it’s essential for truck drivers to carefully check their blind spots while driving. Any driver who fails to check their blind spots and causes a wreck may be liable for any resulting injuries. If you got hurt in a blind spot truck accident in Bethlehem recently, reach out to Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers. Our seasoned attorneys have successfully handled countless claims for people in your situation.
Where Are a Commercial Truck’s Blind Spots?
Like other vehicles, semi-trucks have four blind spots: directly beyond the front bumper, behind the rear bumper, along the driver’s side, and along the passenger’s side. However, the blind spots on commercial trucks are much larger than those for any commuter car, stretching as far as 30 feet in the front and back and up to two lanes of traffic away from the truck.
To account for these significant blind spots, modern semi-trucks are equipped with larger side mirrors and collision detection systems that alert the driver before they get close enough to another vehicle, pedestrian, or object to hit it. Sadly, some drivers neglect to properly use these safety features before turning or changing lanes. When a driver acts irresponsibly and causes a blind spot truck accident, your Bethlehem attorney can work to hold them financially liable.
Proving a Truck Driver or Company Liable for Damages
When a truck driver causes a wreck by not checking their blind spots, your Bethlehem lawyer may be able to file suit against them and their employer. This is because of respondeat superior, a legal principle that essentially allows companies to be held liable for negligence by their employees under certain circumstances.
However, you may also need to prove that you weren’t partly to blame for causing the wreck—for example, because you were coasting in the truck’s blind spot for an unreasonably long time. Otherwise, Pennsylvania law would allow a court to assign a share of fault to you and, based on that, either reduce the total money you can recover or deny you compensation altogether.
Talk to a Bethlehem Attorney About a Blind Spot Truck Accident Case
Blind spot truck crashes can be deceptively difficult to file suit over, especially while recovering from severe injuries. Fortunately, you have help available from the seasoned legal team at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers.
Getting the money you deserve after a blind spot truck accident in Bethlehem will be much easier with an experienced attorney by your side. We have helped countless people recover the compensation they need after serious injuries. In one case, we obtained a $5 million settlement for the family of a woman who died after she was ejected from a vehicle that collided with a truck on Route 80. Call our firm today to learn how we can help you.
