Trucks, buses, and other heavy vehicles tend to have more blind spots than other vehicles because of their large size. Blind spots present significant dangers to any driver, occupant, or motorcyclist who shares a road with large vehicles. Blind spot truck accidents tend to result in severe injuries and fatalities. Recovering compensation after an Oregon truck accident requires an understanding of complex federal and state laws, so truck accident victims should contact the experienced lawyers at D’Amore Law Group. We can discuss your rights and remedies after an accident. 

What Are Truck Drivers’ Blind Spots?

Passenger vehicle drivers often assume that truck drivers can see better because they are higher off the ground. However, while truck drivers have a better forward view, they have serious blind spots. These blind spots are often referred to as “No Zones” and include the areas around trucks where a car is no longer visible to the truck driver. Those in a “no zone” are in greater danger of getting into an accident.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the primary blind spots include:

• Directly in front of the truck (where the driver is too high to see “below” the line of sight for a certain distance);
• Directly behind the truck; and 
• Along each side of the truck, especially on the right side.

Generally, drivers who cannot see the truck driver’s reflection in the truck driver’s mirror are likely in the truck’s blindspot. 

Blind Spot Truck Accidents

According to the same NTSB study, crashes where large truck drivers needed to use their mirrors to complete maneuvers comprised nearly 20% of all large truck collisions. Further, the report indicated that mirror-related crashes involving the ride side of the truck were more than four times as common than accidents involving the left side of the truck. In light of the growing rate of these serious accidents, researchers are developing new trucking technology to reduce blind spot accidents. 

Blind Spot Truck Accident Liability 

While many truck drivers try to avoid liability by claiming that the victim was in a blind spot, this fact does not negate the truck driver’s responsibility. Truck drivers should receive extensive training in operating such large vehicles. This training needs to involve learning the importance of identifying their vehicle’s blind spots and taking steps to avoid blind spot accidents. 

Truckers could be held liable for blind spot accidents in cases involving the following issues.

Fatigue

Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of trucking accidents. Truck driver fatigue can result from improper sleep, lengthy work hours, and extensive mental exertion. Fatigue and sleep deprivation often mimic the symptoms of being drunk. This can clearly cause serious impairment to the driver of a big rig, which is a danger to all other road users. 

Distracted Driving

A truck driver might be responsible for an accident when they fail to identify vehicles in their blind spot because of distraction. Distraction is any behavior that diverts the truck driver’s attention away from the road. This could include texting, eating, and even talking on their phone or to a passenger. 

Impairment

Impairment can stem from many situations; however, it often involves the misuse of prescription or nonprescription drugs or alcohol. Generally, non-commercial drivers 21 years of age and older are considered legally drunk when their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08% or higher. However, commercial vehicle drivers in Oregon are considered intoxicated when their BAC is .04% or greater. 

In these situations, the truck driver could be held liable for any injuries that stem from their negligence. In addition, in some cases, the truck driver’s employer or a third party might also be responsible for the victim’s damages. 

Common Blind Spot Accident Injuries 

There are many studies on truck accident injuries. Each truck accident presents its unique set of circumstances that can significantly impact the severity of injuries. However, generally speaking, truck accidents often involve more serious, life-changing injuries than accidents between two passenger vehicles. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most common injuries in large truck accidents. According to the National Library of Medicine, 1.5 million Americans suffer from a TBI each year. And of that number, over 230,000 people are hospitalized and survive, 50,000 people die, and 80,000 to 90,000 individuals experience long-term disability due to TBIs each year. 

Spinal Cord Injuries

Serious collisions with commercial trucks can cause damage to an accident victim’s vertebrae and surrounding ligaments. Victims may experience spinal fractures, spinal dislocations, and spinal stenosis. 

Back and Neck Injuries

Many Oregon truck accident victims experience back and neck pain after a collision. These injuries can stem from whiplash, facet joint injuries, spinal fractures, and herniated discs. 

Broken Bones

Broken bones can have long-term consequences and often entail costly and painful surgeries. In some cases, accident victims could require rods, pins, and other devices to hold their bones together after a break. 

Lacerations and Burns

Collisions between a large truck and a smaller vehicle often involve shattered glass, explosions, and fires. These events can result in deep lacerations, severe burns, and blunt force trauma. In addition to emergency medical services, many truck accident victims require inpatient hospital stays, extensive surgeries, and rehabilitative services. 

In some cases, accident victims experience fatal injuries and succumb to their injuries at the accident scene. Others die from their injuries at the hospital or during emergency surgery. 

Has a Recent Semi-Truck Accident Turned Your Life Upside Down?

If you or a loved one were recently injured in an Oregon truck accident, the lawyers at D’Amore Law Group want to help. For nearly 30 years, our Oregon and Washington personal injury attorneys have provided aggressive representation to accident victims and their families, helping them recover meaningful compensation for their losses. We offer free consultations, during which we can provide you with an overview of the recovery process, answer your questions, and explain how we can help. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Oregon truck accident lawyers, contact us today.

Contact us today at 503-222-6333 to discuss your case and learn how we can help you.  

What Are Truck Drivers’ Blind Spots?

Passenger vehicle drivers often assume that truck drivers can see better because they are higher off the ground. However, while truck drivers have a better forward view, they have serious blind spots. These blind spots are often referred to as “No Zones” and include the areas around trucks where a car is no longer visible to the truck driver. Those in a “no zone” are in greater danger of getting into an accident.

Where Are the Blind Spots on a Truck?

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the primary blind spots include:

• Directly in front of the truck (where the driver is too high to see “below” the line of sight for a certain distance);
• Directly behind the truck; and 
• Along each side of the truck, especially on the right side.

Generally, drivers who cannot see their reflection in the truck driver’s mirror are likely in the truck’s blind spot. 

Blind Spot Truck Accidents

According to the same NTSB study, crashes where large truck drivers needed to use their mirrors to complete maneuvers comprised nearly 20% of all large truck collisions. Further, the report indicated that mirror-related crashes involving the right side of the truck were more than four times as common as accidents involving the left side of the truck. In light of the growing rate of these serious accidents, researchers are developing new trucking technology to reduce truck blind spot accidents. 

Truck Blind Spot Accident Liability 

While many truck drivers try to avoid liability by claiming that the victim was in a blind spot, this fact does not negate the truck driver’s responsibility. Truck drivers should receive extensive training in operating such large vehicles. This training needs to involve learning the importance of identifying their vehicle’s blind spots and taking steps to avoid blind spot accidents. 

Truckers could be held liable for blind spot accidents in cases involving the following issues.

Fatigue

Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of trucking accidents. Truck driver fatigue can result from improper sleep, lengthy work hours, and extensive mental exertion. Fatigue and sleep deprivation often mimic the symptoms of being drunk. This can clearly cause serious impairment to the driver of a big rig, which is a danger to all other road users. 

Distracted Driving

A truck driver might be responsible for an accident when they fail to identify vehicles in their blind spot because of distraction. Distraction is any behavior that diverts the truck driver’s attention away from the road. This could include texting, eating, and even talking on their phone or to a passenger. 

Impairment

Impairment can stem from many situations; however, it often involves the misuse of prescription or nonprescription drugs or alcohol. Generally, non-commercial drivers 21 years of age and older are considered legally drunk when their blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08% or higher. However, commercial vehicle drivers in Oregon and Washington are considered intoxicated when their BAC is .04% or greater. 

In these situations, the truck driver could be held liable for any injuries that stem from their negligence. In addition, in some cases, the truck driver’s employer or a third party might also be responsible for the victim’s damages. 

Why Blind Spots Do Not Excuse Negligence

Trucking companies and insurers often argue that a collision occurred because another vehicle entered a truck’s blind spot, or “no zone.” While blind spots are a known characteristic of large commercial vehicles, their existence does not excuse negligence. In fact, blind spots impose a greater duty of care on commercial truck drivers.

Professional truck drivers are trained to understand their blind spots and take affirmative steps to account for them before changing lanes, merging, or turning. These steps include checking mirrors repeatedly, adjusting speed, signaling well in advance, and delaying maneuvers until it is safe to proceed. When visibility is limited, drivers are expected to exercise heightened caution.

Courts and investigators often view blind spot truck accidents as preventable events. When a truck driver fails to confirm that a lane is clear before initiating a maneuver, liability frequently follows. The presence of a blind spot does not shift responsibility onto the injured party simply because a vehicle was temporarily out of view. Instead, it underscores the risks inherent in operating a large commercial motor vehicle and the importance of adhering to safe driving practices.

Blind Spot Technology and Safety Equipment on Commercial Trucks

Modern commercial trucks are increasingly equipped with safety technologies designed to reduce blind spot accidents. These systems exist precisely because blind spots pose a serious and foreseeable danger to surrounding motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Common blind spot safety features include convex mirrors, side-mounted cameras, proximity sensors, and audible warning systems that alert drivers when another vehicle is detected nearby. Some fleets also use advanced driver assistance systems that monitor lane positioning and provide alerts before lane changes or turns.

When a blind spot truck accident occurs, investigators often examine whether the safety equipment was present, functioning properly, and used correctly. A failure to maintain mirrors, the disablement of safety systems, or inadequate driver training on blind spot technology may support claims of negligence. In some cases, trucking companies may be held directly liable for failing to equip vehicles with available safety technology or for ignoring known visibility hazards.

As blind spot detection systems become more widely adopted, expectations for safe operation continue to rise. The absence or misuse of available safety equipment can significantly influence fault and liability after a blind-spot truck accident.

Common Blind Spot Accident Injuries 

There are many studies on truck accident injuries. Each truck accident presents its unique set of circumstances that can significantly impact the severity of injuries. However, generally speaking, truck accidents often involve more serious, life-changing injuries than accidents between two passenger vehicles. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most common injuries in large truck accidents. According to the National Library of Medicine, 1.5 million Americans suffer from a TBI each year. And of that number, over 230,000 people are hospitalized and survive, 50,000 people die, and 80,000 to 90,000 individuals experience long-term disability due to TBIs each year. 

Spinal Cord Injuries

Serious collisions with commercial trucks can cause damage to an accident victim’s vertebrae and surrounding ligaments. Victims may experience spinal fractures, spinal dislocations, and spinal stenosis. 

Back and Neck Injuries

Many Oregon truck accident victims experience back and neck pain after a collision. These injuries can stem from whiplash, facet joint injuries, spinal fractures, and herniated discs. 

Broken Bones

Broken bones can have long-term consequences and often entail costly and painful surgeries. In some cases, accident victims could require rods, pins, and other devices to hold their bones together after a break. 

Lacerations and Burns

Collisions between a large truck and a smaller vehicle often involve shattered glass, explosions, and fires. These events can result in deep lacerations, severe burns, and blunt force trauma. In addition to emergency medical services, many truck accident victims require inpatient hospital stays, extensive surgeries, and rehabilitative services. 

In some cases, accident victims experience fatal injuries and succumb to their injuries at the accident scene. Others die from their injuries at the hospital or during emergency surgery. 

When Blind Spot Truck Accidents Result in Catastrophic Injury or Wrongful Death

Blind spot truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and smaller vehicles. Side-impact collisions, forced lane departures, and underride crashes are especially common when a truck changes lanes without detecting a nearby car.

Cyclists and motorcyclists face particularly severe risks in blind spot accidents. These road users are more likely to be struck directly or crushed during turning or merging maneuvers. Even at moderate speeds, the force involved can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, or fatal internal injuries.

When blind spot accidents result in wrongful death, the legal consequences are substantial. These cases often involve extensive investigation, expert testimony, and analysis of driver conduct, equipment use, and company safety policies. Trucking companies and insurers may aggressively dispute liability due to the high financial exposure involved.

In catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, trial preparation is essential. Accountability may be achieved through settlement or a verdict, but meaningful recovery often depends on a thorough presentation of how negligence caused devastating harm.

Compensation for a Blind Spot Truck Crash

Compensation for a blind spot truck crash depends on the severity of the injuries, the extent of negligence involved, and the available insurance coverage. Injured victims may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. In cases involving catastrophic injury or wrongful death, compensation may also include long-term care costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

Because blind spot truck accidents often involve commercial motor carriers with substantial insurance policies, claims are frequently contested. Securing full compensation requires a thorough investigation, strong evidence, and a skilled lawyer who will fight for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Blind Spot Truck Accidents

A blind spot truck accident often involves complex questions about visibility, driver responsibility, and trucking company liability. The following answers address common concerns raised after collisions involving commercial vehicle blind spots.

Who Is at Fault in a Blind Spot Accident?

In most blind spot truck accidents, the truck driver is at fault. Commercial drivers have a duty to identify and account for their vehicle’s blind spots before changing lanes or turning. While trucking companies may argue that a passenger vehicle was in a no-zone area, the existence of a blind spot does not relieve a truck driver of the responsibility to operate the vehicle safely.

How Common Are Blind Spot Truck Accidents?

Blind spot truck accidents are a frequent cause of serious collisions involving commercial vehicles. Federal safety research has shown that a significant percentage of large truck crashes occur during lane changes or turning maneuvers where mirrors and blind spots play a critical role. These accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.

Who Is Legally Responsible When a Truck Accident Is Caused by a Blind Spot?

Legal responsibility may extend beyond the truck driver. In many cases, the trucking company may be held liable under vicarious liability principles. Trucking companies may also face direct liability for inadequate training, unsafe driving policies, or failure to equip vehicles with proper safety technology.

How Do Investigators Prove Fault in Blind Spot Truck Accidents?

Fault in blind spot truck accidents is often established through accident investigation reports, vehicle damage analysis, electronic data, and witness statements. Investigators may evaluate mirror placement, driver actions, traffic conditions, and whether the truck driver followed required safety procedures before changing lanes or turning.

Can a Trucking Company Be Held Liable for Blind Spot Accidents?

Yes. Trucking companies can be held liable for blind spot accidents if their driver was negligent or if the company failed to provide adequate training, supervision, or safety equipment. Employer liability is common in commercial motor vehicle cases, particularly when accidents occur during routine driving maneuvers.

Has a Recent Semi-Truck Accident Turned Your Life Upside Down?

If you or a loved one were recently injured in an Oregon or Washington truck accident, the lawyers at D’Amore Law Group want to help. For over 30 years, our Oregon and Washington personal injury attorneys have provided aggressive representation to accident victims and their families, helping them recover meaningful compensation for their losses. We offer free consultations, during which we can provide you with an overview of the recovery process, answer your questions, and explain how we can help. To schedule a free consultation with one of our truck accident lawyers, contact us today.