Alejandro Figueroa | March 10, 2022 | Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks have enormous blind spots. Mirrors can help, but because of their length and the location of the trailer behind the tractor, truck drivers simply have no way to see most of the road around them.

This creates a dangerous situation for other road users. Truck drivers can easily lose track of pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and motorists and maneuver right into them.

Here is a quick guide to blind spot truck accidents and the best ways to avoid them.

Semi-Truck Blind Spots

The design of semi-trucks creates blind spots. These blind spots are just part of life when driving a truck. 

Because of the shape of the truck and trailer, the driver simply cannot check the blind spots. The cab of the tractor, the trailer, and the height of the driver’s seat create physical barriers to the driver’s vision.

It is also worth noting that many other trucks share similar blind spots. Construction equipment, like dump trucks, often has large blind spots, too.

The four main blind spots are found in the following locations:

In Front of the Semi Truck

The height of the driver’s seat – combined with the length and height of the engine compartment – leaves a large blind spot directly in front of the driver. This blind spot extends about 20 feet in front of the truck.

This blind spot does not typically come into play on highways. An attentive driver will see you change lanes in front of the truck, even if the driver loses you in the blind spot. But on surface streets, this blind spot can become a huge problem and lead to pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and motorcycle accidents.

Behind the Semi Truck

Drivers cannot see directly behind the trailer. This blind spot extends about 30 feet behind the truck. Past 30 feet, the side mirrors show the area behind the truck.

This blind spot primarily makes a difference when reversing. When a semi-truck backs up, you should stay clear because crossing behind the truck puts you exactly where the driver cannot see you.

Driver’s Side of the Semi Truck

The driver has a decent view down the side of the semi-truck along the driver’s side. The mirrors and the view out of the driver’s side window show everything from the cab forward, plus most of the back half of the truck on the driver’s side.

But truck drivers still have a blind spot starting even with the cab and running about halfway down the driver’s side of the trailer. The truck driver cannot see vehicles in the left lane in this blind spot. This blind spot creates a risk of a truck accident when cars pass trucks on the left.

Passenger’s Side of the Semi Truck

In contrast to the driver’s side, the passenger side has an enormous blind spot. The driver cannot see anything from the front corner of the truck to the back corner of the trailer on the passenger side.

The driver can see a small wedge directly next to the trailer in the passenger-side mirror. But further out, the driver can see nothing in the adjacent two lanes to the right.

Tips for Avoiding Blind Spot Truck Accidents

You should always be mindful when you drive or walk near a semi-truck. If you move into the blind spot, even the most careful driver can hit you. 

Some of the best ways you can reduce the risk of getting into a blind spot accident include:

  • Passing only on the left
  • Passing quickly instead of sitting in the blind spot
  • Leaving space after passing, but before moving in front of the truck

It’s also best to follow these practices:

  • Do not tailgate trucks
  • Do not cross behind a reversing truck
  • Do not cross directly in front of a stopped truck

You cannot avoid every accident. But staying out of a truck’s blind spots can help you reduce the risk of causing a truck accident and sustaining the serious injuries that go with it.

Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Tampa, FL

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Tampa, FL, and need legal help, contact our Tampa truck accident lawyers at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers
Bank of America Plaza
101 E Kennedy Blvd #2400
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 222-8656

We also provide legal assistance throughout the Tampa Bay Area including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Bradenton.