Commercial trucks have huge blind spots compared to the average passenger car. This makes driving near a semi-truck in Atlanta especially dangerous — so much so that safety advocates refer to a truck’s blind spots as “No Zones.” Staying away from the No Zones of trucks can save your life.
Where Are No Zones on a Truck?
A tractor-trailer’s No Zones correspond with its four significant blind spots:
- Front No Zone — The area which lies about 20 feet ahead of a truck is a blind spot. Due to the height of the truck’s cab, drivers can’t see vehicles that are too close in front. Cutting off a truck too soon after passing or stopping abruptly can cause rear-end collisions or catastrophic override crashes.
- Rear No Zone — This blind spot extends about 30 feet behind a truck. Because many commercial vehicles lack rearview mirrors, the truck driver can’t see cars tailgating them. Following too closely increases the risk of truck accidents if the truck slows or stops suddenly.
- Right No Zone — This No Zone is the largest and most dangerous one. The blind spot runs along the entire right side of the truck and spans several lanes of traffic. Truck drivers have limited visibility because they sit on the cab’s left side, and their mirrors don’t always show the whole area beside the trailer.
- Left No Zone — Although visibility is better on the driver’s side, a large blind spot still runs along the left side of a truck’s trailer. If a car stays in this area, especially near the rear, it could still be out of the truck driver’s view.
What Can You Do to Avoid a No-Zone Truck Accident?
Here are a few tips for avoiding potential No-Zone accidents in Atlanta:
- Stay out of a truck’s blind spots – If you can’t see the truck driver’s face in their side mirror, they likely can’t see you. Avoid lingering in the truck’s front, rear, and side No Zones whenever possible.
- Pass safely and quickly – Always pass on the left, where the truck driver has better visibility. Don’t linger alongside the truck. Accelerate to pass quickly and make sure you can see the entire cab in your rearview mirror before moving back in.
- Avoid cutting off trucks – Trucks need much more time and distance to stop. If you cut in too closely after passing, the driver may not have enough space to avoid a collision if you hit the brakes.
- Give trucks more room to turn – Large trucks make wide turns, especially on the right. Never try to squeeze by a semi-truck or get between it and the curb. Wait for the big rig to complete its turn.
What Should You Do After a Georgia Truck Accident?
Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to quickly move out of a truck’s No Zones on Atlanta’s congested roads. If you are involved in a truck crash, take the following steps to safeguard your legal rights.
- Keep detailed records of everything related to the accident and your injuries. Save your medical bills and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. If you miss any work, track the days you’re out and ask your employer for documentation of your lost wages.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan closely. Attend all follow-up appointments, go to every physical therapy session, and immediately let your provider know if your symptoms change or worsen.
- Avoid discussing the truck wreck or posting updates about your injuries on social media. The at-fault party or their insurers might take your posts out of context and use them to sabotage your truck accident claim. If an insurance adjuster contacts you, don’t give a recorded statement or accept any settlements without first seeking legal advice.
- Contact an Atlanta truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Truck accident cases often involve complex legal rules and liability disputes. A knowledgeable attorney can review state or federal regulations that apply to your situation and guide you through the claims process.
Who Could Be Held Responsible for a Georgia No-Zone Accident?
No-Zone truck crashes in Georgia often result from careless or dangerous actions by a truck driver, trucking company, or others involved in the trucking industry. Potentially responsible parties in these cases may include:
- Truck driver — The truck driver could be liable for a crash if they didn’t check their blind spots before merging or engaged in other dangerous behavior.
- Trucking company — A truck company could be at fault if it hired an unsafe driver or provided inadequate supervision, especially of entry-level drivers.
- Maintenance providers — Companies hired to maintain trucks may be liable for an accident if they failed to fix or replace worn or broken parts that contributed to the crash. For example, faulty brakes can prevent a truck from stopping in time if someone suddenly moves in front of it.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers — Defective tires or other components can prevent truck drivers from maintaining control and avoiding crashes. The company responsible for the defect is often liable in these situations.
- Other drivers — If a neighboring motorist negligently caused the truck to hit you, that driver could be at fault.
Determining liability in a truck accident case requires a thorough investigation and substantial evidence to back your claim. An experienced attorney can identify who is at fault and help you pursue maximum compensation from all available sources.
Is It Possible for the Truck Driver and the Car Driver to Share the Blame for the Accident?
Georgia’s comparative negligence law allows you to recover compensation for a truck crash even if you bear some of the blame. If the evidence shows your percentage of fault is less than 50 percent, you can still claim compensation, but your percentage of fault reduces the total amount. For example, if you’re 10 percent responsible for the accident, you would lose 10 percent of your compensation.
Contact a Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer
As former insurance defense lawyers, the Georgia truck accident attorneys at Bayuk Pratt understand the tricks and strategies truck drivers and others use to avoid compensating accident victims for their injuries. With over 50 years of combined experience in Atlanta, our attorneys have recovered over $300 million for our clients. Let us put our industry experience to work for you.
If you need help seeking compensation for injuries sustained in a truck accident, Bayuk Pratt can fight for a full and fair settlement that reflects your needs. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
