Every motor vehicle has areas called blind spots that the driver cannot see into from their natural position in the driver’s seat, sometimes even with help from rearview and side mirrors. These blind spots are typically just beyond the front and rear bumpers, as well as diagonally out and back from the left and right sides, and on commercial tractor-trailers, these spots are often big enough to block entire passenger cars from the truck driver’s view.
Because of this, it is especially important for long-haul truckers to be consistent about checking their blind spots before merging, changing lanes, or turning across an intersection. Failure to do so can lead to blind spot truck accidents in Crown Point, where those involved suffer serious injuries. If you were recently hurt in a wreck caused by a trucker’s irresponsible actions, a talented truck injury attorney from The Law Offices of David W. Holub could help you proactively seek financial restitution.
Are Truck Drivers Always Responsible for Blind Spot Truck Collisions?
Truck drivers have the same duty of care on the road as anyone else, meaning they have the same legal obligation to follow traffic laws and pay attention while driving as passenger car drivers do. Accordingly, if a truck driver collides with a vehicle or person in their blind spot directly because they broke a traffic law, were driving distracted, or simply neglected to check for obstacles before making a road maneuver, they can be held liable for violating their duty of care through negligence.
However, people driving around tractor-trailers also have a duty to know where the blind spots on these massive machines are and stay out of them whenever possible. Therefore, if someone hurt in a Crown Point blind spot truck crash had been in the trucker’s blind spot for several minutes prior to the crash, they could be assigned a percentage of comparative fault for their injuries, leading to them obtaining less compensation.
Seeking Fair Recovery Within Filing Time Limits
Our team could help a client proactively contest allegations of comparative fault during their lawsuit or settlement demand, as well as navigate other potential obstacles to recovery. For example, we could make sure a client is able to file suit over their blind spot truck wreck in Crown Point well within the filing deadline set by Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, which is generally two years after the date on which the accident occurred.
We could also provide crucial support with identifying, valuing, and demanding compensation in advance for the long-term effects of a wreck that will manifest after the two-year filing period expires. These can include economic damages such as future medical bills and lost working capacity, as well as non-economic damages such as psychological trauma and lost quality of life.
Contact a Crown Point Attorney About Your Accident With a Truck Caused by Their Blind Spot
A tractor-trailer traveling over state lines can weigh up to 80,000 pounds under federal law. Even a sideswipe collision with something that massive can cause catastrophic damage to a typical passenger car, and since blind spot truck accidents in Crown Point often happen at highway speeds, the results of these collisions can be extreme, even compared to other types of commercial truck wrecks.
Fortunately, you have help available from skilled legal counsel with demanding the restitution you need for the harm you should never have experienced. Call The Law Offices of David W. Holub today to discuss your case.