Wisconsin Blind Spot Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been involved in a blind spot truck accident, you know firsthand the devastating consequences it can bring. These include catastrophic injuries, emotional trauma, and seemingly endless medical bills. Your ability to earn a living or enjoy your life as you previously had could also be halted. But you could be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Schwaba Law Firm understands the complexity of trucking accident injury cases. Andrew Schwaba, a Wisconsin blind spot truck accident lawyer, is dedicated to fighting for the justice and damages you are owed. He delivers meaningful results, as his strong track record of securing millions of dollars for clients can attest.

Count on a truck accident lawyer with the experience, compassion, and diligence you need. Contact Schwaba Law Firm today for a free consultation.

What Are Blind Spots?

A blind spot is an area around a vehicle that the driver cannot directly see while looking through their windows, rear-view mirrors, or side mirrors. Blind spots exist in all vehicles but are particularly pronounced in large vehicles such as semi-trucks and tractor-trailers.

The size and shape of commercial trucks inherently create large blind spots for a trucker due to a combination of factors. These include their significant length and height, the limited range of their mirrors, their lack of rear-view mirrors, and the behavior of their trailers during turns, also called “trailer swing.”

Understanding and monitoring blind spots is essential for all road users, especially so for commercial truck drivers. Many blind spot truck accidents occur out of negligence, such as when truckers fail to look out for others in their blind spots due to distraction, impairment, or other factors.

How Many Blind Spots Do Trucks Have?

Because of their size and configuration, large commercial trucks have several prominent blind spots that are unique to these types of vehicles and require driver awareness. Also known as “no-zones,” these blind spots include the following:

• The Front Blind Spot – This blind spot is directly in front of the truck and exists due to the elevated seating position of the driver. This is because the nose of the truck’s cab obstructs the driver’s view of the road immediately in front of them. Depending on the truck’s design and size, this blind spot can extend several feet in front of the truck and obscure smaller vehicles, pedestrians, or objects in the roadway from view.
• The Rear Blind Spot – Large commercial trucks also have substantial blind spots directly behind their trailers. Unlike typical passenger vehicles, trucks don’t have rear-view mirrors providing a straight back view. Instead, a truck’s trailer blocks this view entirely. The rear blind spot can extend up to 200 feet or more from the back of the truck, making it impossible for truck drivers to see vehicles following too closely behind them.
• The Right-Hand Blind Spot – The right-hand side or passenger’s side blind spot is huge. It extends from the truck’s passenger side window to the rear of the truck and can span multiple lanes of traffic. The relative lack of right-side mirror coverage combined with the truck’s length and height makes this area particularly challenging to monitor.
• The Left-Hand Blind Spot – There is also a significant blind spot on the left-hand side or driver’s side of a truck. While smaller than the right-hand blind spot due to better mirror coverage, this no-zone extends from the driver’s door about halfway down the trailer. If another road user is in this blind spot, they might not be visible to the driver, especially if they are close to the truck.

Common Types of Truck Blind Spot Accidents

Why do truckers need to check their blind spots? Because failure to do so can result in various types of truck accidents, including the following:

Blind Spot Accident Statistics from the NHTSA

According to point-of-impact statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• The front end of a large truck is the most common impact point in fatal car-on-truck crashes, accounting for 64 percent of such accidents.
• The rear of a truck is the second-most common impact point in fatal wrecks, involved in 20 percent of such crashes.
• Collisions with the left side of large trucks constitute 11 percent of fatal crashes.
• The right side of a large truck is the least-common point of impact, accounting for only 6 percent of fatal crashes.
• The front end is the most common impact point among other vehicles in fatal truck crashes (64 percent), followed by the left side (17 percent), right side (13 percent), and rear (7 percent).

What Can I Do to Avoid Being in a Truck Blind Spot Crash?

How is it best and safe to stay out of a truck’s blind spots? You can avoid a blind spot truck accidents by keeping the following defensive driving strategies in mind:

• Always keep a safe distance from trucks on the road.
• Stay out of blind spots in the front, directly behind, and along either side of a truck.
• Make sure you see the truck driver’s face in their side mirrors. If you can’t see them, they can’t see you.
• Use your indicators early when you plan to pass, turn, or change lanes around trucks.
• Pass trucks quickly and on the left-hand side, where blind spots are smaller.
• Never cut in front of a truck, as they require more distance to stop.
• Avoid tailgating trucks, as this will place you in the rear no-zone.
• Be patient and cautious around trucks, and remember their need for wide turns.
• Stay attentive and predictable. Avoid sudden lane changes or maneuvers around trucks.
• Don’t pass trucks that are reversing, as their drivers might not be able to see you.
• Always pay attention to road conditions and adjust your driving as necessary.

How Is Liability for Blind Spot Trucking Accidents Determined?

Determining liability in a blind spot truck accident case requires a detailed investigation into the crash’s circumstances. If you have a blind spot accident case, a skilled Wisconsin truck accident lawyer could identify and present the following types of evidence to prove liability:

What You Should Do After a Truck Accident Caused by Blind Spots

If you’re involved in a blind spot truck accident in Wisconsin, here are the steps you should take:

• Seek Medical Attention – Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, some injuries aren’t immediately apparent, so it’s best to get a professional diagnosis.
• Document the Scene – Take photos or videos of the accident scene, your vehicle, the truck, road conditions, and any visible injuries. If you can’t go to the scene, send someone you trust.
• Gather Information – Get the truck driver’s name, contact information, license number, and insurance details. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses.
• Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company – Notify them as soon as possible, but avoid making detailed statements until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
• Document Everything – Keep track of all medical records, repair bills, and other accident-related expenses. Write down everything you can remember about the crash.
• Don’t Discuss the Accident – Avoid discussing fault or details of the accident with anyone except your attorney or the police. Stay off social media, too, as your posts could be used against you.
• Contact a Lawyer – Find a lawyer experienced with truck accidents to guide you through the legal process. Provide all the information they need and keep them updated as necessary.

Why You Need a Lawyer When Filing a Blind Spot Crash Claim

A lawyer offers the experience, knowledge, and dedication needed to handle the complex process of a truck accident claim, protect your rights, and demand the compensation you deserve. You need an attorney after a blind spot truck accident in Wisconsin because they can:

• Explain Your Legal Rights and Evaluate Your Options – The laws regarding truck accidents are highly complex. A lawyer can explain your options under these laws, help you understand what compensation you could be entitled to, and outline the best legal strategies for your case.
• Conduct an Independent Investigation into the Truck Accident – An effective lawyer can launch an independent investigation into the circumstances of the truck accident, including possible wrongdoing.
• Identify Liable Parties and Sources of Compensation – Determining responsibility in a truck accident can be complicated, as several parties could be liable. A lawyer can identify all potentially liable parties and possible sources of compensation.
• Stand Up to Trucking Companies and Their Insurers – Trucking companies and their insurers often have considerable legal resources. They might try to shift blame or minimize what they owe you. A lawyer can level the playing field by standing up to these companies on your behalf.
• Negotiate a Fair Settlement – Calculating a fair settlement involves more than adding medical expenses. An experienced lawyer can accurately estimate the value of your losses, including anticipated future losses, and negotiate an adequate settlement accordingly.
• Take Your Case to Trial if Necessary – Your lawyer can take your case to court if a fair settlement isn’t feasible. They can build a strong case, present compelling evidence, prepare you for trial, and advocate for your best interests before a judge or jury.

Get in Touch with a Wisconsin Blind Spot Truck Accident Attorney

Andrew Schwaba is here to advocate for your rights and pursue the compensation you need to recover from your losses. You’ll never be charged anything unless your blind spot trucking accident case gets resolved. Contact Schwaba Law Firm now for a free initial case evaluation.