Cars, trucks and SUVs all have “blind spots,” or areas of the road that are invisible to drivers in their mirrors and windows. It is a driver’s responsibility to be aware of these blind spots and adapt to them accordingly to prevent accidents. If a blind spot accident takes place, it is important to understand your legal rights. You may be eligible for compensation from the other driver with the help of San Antonio truck accident lawyer.
What Is a Blind Spot Accident?
A blind spot accident occurs when one vehicle crashes into another that was not easily visible because it was in the first driver’s blind spot. These accidents are most common when a driver fails to check his or her blind spots before moving, is driving distracted, is making unsafe or hasty lane changes, or when someone is hovering in a driver’s blind spot for an extended period.
Blind Spot Accidents and 18-Wheelers
Blind spot accidents are especially frequent among semi-trucks or 18-wheelers. These large trucks have particularly large blind spots, called the “No Zone” by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The No Zone extends around all four sides of the big rig, approximately one lane to the left, two lanes to the right, 30 feet to the back and 20 feet to the front of the truck. Driving in this area puts a vehicle at risk of the truck changing lanes on top of it due to a lack of visibility.
Who Is Liable?
Texas uses a fault-based or at-fault law to determine who is responsible for paying for an automobile accident. Liability is based on which driver was in the right and which driver was in the wrong at the time of the collision. In general, the driver who was behaving negligently or violating a traffic law will be held accountable for the crash.
Negligence means a lack of proper care was used, such as a driver failing to check his or her blind spots or make a safe lane change. These mistakes can place responsibility on this driver for a resultant blind spot crash in Texas. However, it will be up to the victim to prove negligence to qualify for financial compensation from the at-fault driver’s car insurance company.
Seeking Compensation for a Blind Spot Accident in Texas
If you get injured or your vehicle is damaged in a blind spot collision in Texas, try to stay calm and pull off the road in a safe location. Check yourself and others in your vehicle for injuries. When it’s safe to do so, exit your vehicle to see if anyone else is injured in the other car. Call 911 without delay to report the accident to law enforcement.
While you wait for the police to arrive, speak calmly to the other driver to get his or her name and contact information. Write down a description of his or her vehicle, including plate numbers and the vehicle registration number. Do not admit fault for the crash. Get medical care for any injuries promptly.
Call your own car insurance company to report the blind spot accident. Then, contact a car accident attorney in San Antonio to discuss representation. A personal injury lawyer in San Antonio can help you prove fault for a blind spot accident, gather evidence and negotiate a fair settlement with a car insurance provider on your behalf. If the insurer is attempting to place part of the fault with you, your lawyer can combat this comparative negligence defense to maximize your case outcome.