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Blind Spot Truck Accidents in Chattanooga

A commercial truck driver’s failure to properly check their vehicle’s blind spots can result in a devastating accident. If the injured parties can prove the truck driver’s careless or reckless behavior caused the accident, the driver and their employer may be held liable for the injured person’s damages.

A lawyer experienced in blind spot truck accidents in Chattanooga could help you determine who is legally responsible for your accident and work hard to secure any financial compensation you may be due.

Trucker Blind Spots

Like most motor vehicles, commercial trucks have areas with little to no visibility. Truck blind spots tend to be quite large and typically include the following specific areas:

  • Front of truck: because they are quite tall, commercial trucks typically have a blind spot extending 20 feet directly in front of the truck
  • Rear of truck: the blind spot can extend to 30 feet behind the truck’s trailer
  • Left side of truck: the blind spot can extend from the driver’s side window down the entire length of the trailer and can be wider than a single lane of traffic
  • Right side of truck: the blind spot on the passenger side extends down the entire length of the truck’s trailer

Unless a truck driver is careful, they can easily miss another vehicle traveling in one of their blind spots. A skilled lawyer in Chattanooga could analyze the circumstances of a particular case to determine how a truck’s blind spot may have played a role in the accident.

Causes of Blind Spot Truck Accidents

Careless truck drivers can cause common blind spot accidents, such as rear-end and side collisions with other vehicles, by failing to pay attention to their surroundings and not taking the necessary precautions. Some of the common factors in these kinds of accidents include:

  • Failing to align mirrors properly to minimize blind spots
  • Not checking blind spots before making a sudden or tricky maneuver
  • Failing to have the required collision avoidance systems
  • Lacking the needed training to drive the type of truck involved
  • Driving while drowsy

Truck drivers in Chattanooga should be aware of their blind spots and pay attention when other vehicles are coming in and out of these poor visibility areas.

Establishing Liability for a Blind Spot Truck Accident in Tennessee

A truck driver may be liable for the injuries a person incurs in a blind spot accident if the injured party can prove negligence. To establish negligence, the injured party must prove that the driver owed them a duty of care to others on the road, that the driver engaged in conduct that breached the duty of care, and that the breach caused the accident. The plaintiff must also show that they suffered physical, economic, and/or emotional damages as a result of their injuries.

Trucking Company Liability

If the driver responsible for a blind spot accident is employed by a trucking company, the company could also be considered liable for damages if they were negligent in hiring or supervising the driver. The company may be negligent if they knew or should have known that the driver was unable to drive the truck safely and was therefore a danger to others.

Comparative Negligence Law

It is common for the defendant in a Chattanooga blind spot truck crash case to argue that the accident was caused by the injured party and they should be barred from recovering damages. Under the state’s comparative negligence law, however, the injured party may recover damages as long as they were not more at fault for the accident than the truck driver. This means that the plaintiff can be no more than 50 percent at fault. Rather than being denied recovery entirely, their damages will be reduced proportionally to their percentage of fault.

A Chattanooga Attorney Could Be Your Advocate if You Have Been Injured in a Blind Spot Truck Accident

A blind spot truck accident can cause significant injuries and lead to extensive medical expenses, absence from work, and mental and emotional distress. An attorney experienced in blind spot truck accidents in Chattanooga could help you address your challenges and provide valuable guidance to help you navigate your difficult situation. Reach out today to schedule an initial review of your case.

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