Truck Blind Spot Accidents In Rochester, New York

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Famed as a Best Lawyer of America and American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year, and His Team of Meticulous, Zealous, and Determined Lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., Aggressively Negotiate with Claims Adjusters to Obtain the Highest Settlements for Victims Who were Critically Injured in Truck Blind Spot Crashes in Rochester, New York, Throughout Monroe County, and Beyond.

Driving in the vicinity of large trucks can be extremely dangerous, especially when the trucker cannot see your vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in a recent year alone, more than 4,000 victims suffered fatalities in accidents involving large trucks. Roughly 70 percent of those deaths were occupants of passenger vehicles. Many of these tragic accidents are caused by truck blind spots. Commercial trucks have several blind spots that are substantially larger than smaller vehicles. Also referred to as no-zones, these areas make it nearly impossible for truckers to see your vehicle. When truck drivers cannot see other vehicles, the risk of suffering a catastrophic accident drastically increases.

Operating a massive tractor-trailer is vastly different from driving a standard passenger vehicle. Due to the immense weight and size, truck drivers must use extreme caution and make every effort to observe other vehicles. Suppose that a negligent truck driver failed to see you in their blind spot and caused a severe collision. In that case, you may be entitled to seek compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. However, pursuing a truck blind spot accident lawsuit can be challenging. Many of these accidents involve large trucking enterprises and forceful insurance companies. Even when victims suffer life-altering injuries, the truck company's legal counsel and insurance adjusters are highly incentivized to pay them as little money as possible. Sometimes, they will attempt to cover up the trucker's mistakes and blame the victim. Fortunately, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.'s team of battle-tested lawyers is here for you.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. has passionately dedicated the last 23 years of his career to fighting for justice. Throughout these years, Jed Dietrich, Esq., recognized as a New York Super Lawyer, has litigated thousands of cases, including many commercial trucking accidents. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.'s elite team has mastered the art of aggressively negotiating with negligent companies and claims adjusters to obtain the money that you deserve. With our legal representation, you may be entitled to compensation for lost earnings, medical expenses, permanent disability, rehabilitation, life-altering disfigurement, loss of enjoyment, and much more. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has vigorously fought to obtain over $175 million in judgments and settlements for injured victims in Rochester, New York, throughout Monroe County, and beyond. Schedule your complimentary and confidential case evaluation with our top rated truck accident lawyers to learn how we can help. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.'s leading lawyers are available around the clock by dialing 585-939-3939 or by completing the online consultation form.

In most passenger vehicles, the blind spots are usually situated at a 45-degree angle behind the driver on both the left and right sides. Depending on the shape and size of a truck, what type of side-view mirrors it has, and whether it is equipped with cameras, a semi has more and larger blind spots than a car. The no-zone can span the length of the truck and extend multiple traffic lanes. Some of the most prevalent blind spots on tractor trailers include:

1. In Front of the Cab: Commercial trucks, especially those that do not contain the cab-over design, are known for having blind spots in front, which can range up to 20 feet. When cars get too close to a truck's front, the trucker may not be able to see the car brake.
2. In the Back of the Trailer: Similar to the front, a blind spot exists behind, which can extend as far as 30 feet from the back of the truck.
3. On the Left Side: The left side of a big rig's cab has a big blind spot going down the length of the semi. On bigger trucks, this blind spot can encompass up to 3 traffic lanes.
4. On the Right Side of the Cab: Like the left side, the right side's blind spot begins alongside the truck's cab. This no-zone extends out over the length of the truck and can span 3 lanes of traffic.

According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), rear-end collisions and sideswipes are the most common types of commercial truck accidents. Combined, the above 2 accidents are responsible for 33 percent of all tractor-trailer collisions. These statistics show that irresponsible truckers move into other traffic lanes without adequately clearing them. Some important ways to protect yourself from a truck blind spot accident include:

1. Never Tailgate: Due to the blind spot directly behind, truckers may not even know you are in their rear. Consequently, following too close significantly increases your risk of rear-ending the back of the truck. You should maintain enough distance behind so that you can see the truck's mirrors. If you cannot see the mirrors, the trucker will not be able to see you.
2. Avoid Cutting-Off Trucks: Tractor trailers require much longer stopping distances Truckers will not see your vehicle if you are too close in front of them. This heightens the risk of your car being rear-ended because the semi cannot stop fast enough. You should not go in front of a semi until you can see its headlights in your mirrors.
3. Be Extra Cautious When Overtaking a Semi: A commercial truck's largest blind spot is on the right side. Therefore, you should only pass tractor trailers on the left side. Ensure that you always use a turn signal before passing so that the trucker knows you are attempting to pass through their blind spot.
4. Do Not Remain in Blind Spots: When you need to pass through a large truck's blind spot, you should do so swiftly and safely. While a truck might see you enter his or her blind spot, if you stay there too long, the driver may assume that you have passed already. This could lead to a sideswipe accident when the truck changes lanes.
5. Report Unsafe Truckers: Many commercial trucks have phone numbers on the back that you can call to report bad driving. If you see a truck driver operating recklessly, you should report it.

Driving more cautiously around tractor trailers and being extra careful of their blind spots can help keep you safe. Unfortunately, you can never predict when a trucker's negligence will cause an accident. If you have been hurt in a crash involving a large truck, please do not hesitate to contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.'s veteran attorneys. Our compassionate team understands that you may have suffered severe injuries. It is important to focus your time and energy on recovering both physically and emotionally. In the meantime, our elite litigators will begin constructing a strong case and demand the compensation that you deserve. Jed Dietrich, Esq., a proud member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, cares about your fight for justice and will do everything possible to help. Call 585-939-3939 to schedule a complimentary case evaluation with our Rochester, New York, blind spot truck accident attorneys.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 585-939-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Rochester, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!