Blind spots are something that every driver must learn to adapt to for the safety of others. Even with blind spot sensors, drivers can cause car accidents by changing lanes or merging on top of people in their blind spots if they aren’t careful. In the aftermath of these accidents, it can be difficult to understand liability, or who is responsible for paying for the crash. You may need to contact a car accident attorney in San Antonio for legal assistance.
Common Types of Blind Spot Accidents
Blind spots are something that must be acknowledged and addressed by the driver of a vehicle. Motorists are responsible for knowing where their blind spots are and how to navigate them to keep surrounding road users safe. If a driver is negligent, or does not take proper care when dealing with blind spots, he or she can be responsible for causing an accident.
Common types of blind spot accidents in Texas include:
- Sideswipes
- Lane-change accidents
- Merging accidents
- Intersection accidents
- Turning accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Chain reaction accidents
- Multivehicle pileups
Motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians and passenger cars that are driving next to trucks are most at risk of blind spot accidents. These road users can be difficult for drivers to see, as they have smaller profiles that can “hide” in the nonvisible zone. For this reason, road users are urged not to hover in another vehicle’s blind spots.
Large Truck Blind Spots and No Zone Accidents
Commercial trucks have especially large blind spots, which the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration calls the “No Zone.” The No Zone extends to all four sides of a tractor-trailer. Motor vehicle drivers should do their best never to hover next to a big rig for long, as the truck driver likely cannot see the car and may try to maneuver on top of it. A general rule of thumb is that if you cannot see the truck driver in the truck’s side mirror, he or she cannot see you. Make sure to contact a truck accident lawyer in San Antonio.
Who Is Liable for a Blind Spot Accident in Texas?
Motor vehicle drivers can take certain measures to help prevent blind spot accidents on Texas highways and roads. They should always have their mirrors properly adjusted and check them carefully before changing lanes. They should also look over their shoulders to check blind spots. If a driver fails to check a blind spot or make a safe lane change, he or she can be held responsible for a resultant accident.
Since Texas is a fault state, the driver or individual responsible for causing a car accident must pay for the damage, typically through his or her automobile insurance policy. In a case involving a large truck No Zone accident, the trucking company responsible for the truck and its driver may be held vicariously liable for the driver’s mistakes. If the truck’s blind spot sensors were faulty, the manufacturer could also face liability. A product liability lawyer in San Antonio is here for you.
When to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Blind spot accidents can lead to complicated car insurance claims, especially if a victim has to go up against a major trucking company to seek justice and fair financial compensation. If an insurance company is trying to blame you for the blind spot crash, diminish your payout or reject your claim, contact a San Antonio personal injury attorney at Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free review of your case. We can guide you through the steps it takes to rebuild your life and hold someone accountable for a harmful blind spot collision. Contact us today.