Your Rights After a Blind Spot Truck Accident
A truck just hit you because the driver failed to check his blind spot. You’re hurt, scared, and wondering if this accident was your fault because you were “in the blind spot.”
The truth: Truck drivers frequently bear responsibility for these crashes, not the victims.
Truck drivers receive special training specifically to handle their massive blind spots safely. Federal law requires them to check these areas before changing lanes or turning. When they don’t, and they hit you, they may be liable for your injuries.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we’ve successfully handled numerous blind spot truck accidents across Texas. These cases often follow predictable patterns, and we understand how to prove when truck drivers fail in their legal duty to drive safely.
You may have the right to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and the pain this accident has caused. Don’t let insurance companies dismiss your valid claim.
Understanding Blind Spot Truck Accidents in Texas
Trucks have blind spots that stretch much farther than most people realize. These “no-zones” can hide entire cars from the truck driver’s view, even with mirrors.
The critical point: truck drivers know about these blind spots. They receive training to check them. When they don’t, and they hit you, that can constitute negligence.
The Four Major Truck Blind Spots
Every truck has four main blind spots where cars disappear completely:
Right side: Extends two lanes wide along the entire trailer length. Most blind spot accidents happen in this zone.
Left side: Runs from the cab back along the trailer, though narrower than the right side.
Rear: Stretches 200 feet behind the trailer. If you’re following too closely, the driver cannot see you.
Front: Reaches 20 feet ahead of the cab. Cars can vanish completely in this zone.
Why These Crashes Cause Severe Injuries
When an 80,000-pound truck hits your 3,000-pound car, the physics work against you. You absorb most of the impact energy.
Common injuries include:
- Broken ribs and bones
- Head trauma and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Permanent disabilities
Many victims don’t realize how badly they’re hurt immediately after the crash. Adrenaline masks pain, and some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms.
Texas Highway Conditions That Increase Risk
Our highways create conditions that contribute to these accidents. I-35 through Dallas, with its narrow lanes and heavy truck traffic, sees blind spot crashes regularly. Add construction zones and aggressive drivers, and the risk increases significantly.
Safety Rule: If you can’t see the truck driver in his side mirror, he likely can’t see you. Even if you could see him, federal law requires him to check his blind spots before moving.
Common Causes of Blind Spot Truck Accidents
These accidents often result from preventable safety failures rather than unavoidable circumstances. Understanding these causes helps establish when negligence occurred.
Truck Driver Safety Failures
Inadequate blind spot checks: Some drivers rely only on mirrors instead of performing proper shoulder checks before changing lanes.
Distracted driving: Texting, eating, or adjusting GPS while driving reduces awareness of surrounding traffic.
Driver fatigue: Tired drivers make poor decisions and may skip safety procedures. Many violate federal rules about driving hours.
Insufficient training: Some drivers never learn proper blind spot management techniques.
Trucking Company Negligence
Inadequate training programs: Companies may rush drivers through training to get them on the road faster.
Unrealistic delivery schedules: Pressure to meet impossible deadlines can cause drivers to take dangerous shortcuts.
Poor vehicle maintenance: Broken or dirty mirrors make blind spots even larger.
Negligent hiring practices: Some companies hire drivers with poor safety records or inadequate experience.
These accidents often happen because someone failed to follow established safety rules, not because they were unavoidable.
Who May Be Liable in Blind Spot Truck Accidents
Multiple parties can share responsibility for your injuries, which may increase the total compensation available for your claim.
Truck Driver Liability
Truck drivers may be liable when they:
- Fail to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Drive while distracted or fatigued
- Violate federal safety regulations
- Make unsafe lane changes or turns
Commercial drivers must meet higher safety standards than regular drivers. When they fail to meet these standards, they may be responsible for resulting injuries.
Trucking Company Responsibility
The company employing the driver often shares liability through:
- Inadequate driver training programs
- Pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines
- Poor vehicle maintenance practices
- Negligent hiring decisions
Companies sometimes try to distance themselves from driver actions, but Texas law may hold them responsible for their employees’ negligence.
Vehicle Manufacturer Liability
Sometimes defective mirrors or safety equipment contribute to accidents. When this occurs, the truck manufacturer may share liability.
Other Driver Involvement
Other motorists occasionally contribute to blind spot accidents, but the primary responsibility typically falls on the commercial driver who has special training and legal obligations.
Key Evidence for Your Case:
- Traffic camera footage showing the truck’s movement
- Witness statements from other drivers
- The truck driver’s logbooks and training records
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Electronic data from the truck’s systems
Compensation Available for Blind Spot Truck Accident Victims
The serious nature of these accidents often supports substantial compensation claims. Multiple liable parties can increase total recovery potential.
Medical Expense Recovery
Your case may cover:
- Emergency room treatment
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Future medical care for permanent injuries
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
Blind spot accidents often cause injuries requiring long-term treatment. We work to ensure your settlement covers future medical needs, not just current bills.
Lost Income Compensation
Recovery may include:
- Wages lost during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job
- Lost benefits and retirement contributions
- Retraining costs if you need a new career
Young victims may face decades of lost earnings when severe injuries prevent them from working in their chosen field.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Texas law allows compensation for:
- Physical pain from your injuries
- Emotional trauma and anxiety
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
These damages aren’t capped in most personal injury cases, allowing compensation to reflect the true impact on your life.
Property Damage Recovery
We also pursue:
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Rental car expenses
- Personal items destroyed in the crash
- Diminished value of your repaired vehicle
Wrongful Death Benefits
When blind spot accidents prove fatal, surviving family members may pursue:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of the deceased’s future income
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Mental anguish damages
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Each case depends on its specific facts and circumstances.
Texas Comparative Fault Laws and Blind Spot Accidents
Insurance companies often try to blame victims in blind spot cases. They may claim you were “lingering in the no-zone” or “should have known better.”
Understanding your rights: You have the legal right to use every lane on the highway. The truck driver has the legal obligation to check his blind spots before moving.
How Texas Comparative Negligence Works
Texas uses comparative negligence, meaning:
- You can recover damages if you’re less than 51% at fault
- Your compensation gets reduced by your fault percentage
- You receive nothing if you’re 51% or more at fault
Truck drivers have special legal duties that often protect victims from significant fault attribution.
Common Insurance Company Arguments
They may claim:
- “You were in the blind spot too long”
- “You should have avoided the truck”
- “You were speeding or driving aggressively”
- “You could have prevented this”
Legal reality: Truck drivers must check their blind spots before maneuvering. Federal regulations require drivers to ensure the area is clear before changing lanes or turning.
How We Counter These Arguments
We gather evidence proving:
- You were legally using the roadway
- The truck driver failed to check his blind spots
- Federal regulations required the driver to ensure the area was clear
- The trucking company may have failed in its safety obligations
Courts recognize that commercial drivers receive special training specifically to manage these dangerous situations safely.
Key Point: Your legal right to use the highway doesn’t disappear because a truck driver may have failed to follow basic safety rules.
Steps to Take After a Blind Spot Truck Accident
Time matters in these cases. Evidence can disappear quickly, and insurance companies begin building their defense immediately.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Even if you feel okay, get evaluated by a medical professional. Blind spot truck accidents often cause:
- Internal injuries that don’t show symptoms initially
- Concussions that seem minor but cause lasting problems
- Soft tissue injuries that worsen over time
Prompt medical attention protects your health and creates crucial documentation for your case.
Document the Scene When Possible
If you’re able to move around safely:
- Photograph all vehicles and damage
- Get pictures of the truck’s mirrors and blind spot equipment
- Record the truck’s DOT number and company name
- Take photos of skid marks and road conditions
- Get contact information from witnesses
This evidence helps establish how the accident occurred and whether the truck had proper safety equipment.
Protect Yourself from Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters often contact victims within hours of the crash. They want recorded statements before you understand your injuries or legal rights.
Appropriate response: “I need to speak with my attorney before giving any statements.”
Avoid saying:
- “I was in his blind spot”
- “Maybe I should have been more careful”
- “I’m fine” (even if you feel okay)
Early statements can be taken out of context and used to reduce your compensation.
Contact Experienced Legal Help
Don’t handle this alone. Blind spot truck accident cases involve:
- Complex federal trucking regulations
- Multiple insurance companies with different coverage
- Commercial defendants with experienced legal teams
- Evidence that may disappear if not preserved quickly
We begin working on your case immediately to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Texas Blind Spot Truck Accident Checklist:
- Get medical evaluation (even if you feel fine)
- Photograph vehicles, damage, and road conditions
- Record truck DOT number and company information
- Get witness contact information
- Avoid giving statements to insurance companies
- Contact Angel Reyes & Associates for immediate help
Why Blind Spot Truck Accidents Require Specialized Legal Help
General personal injury attorneys may lack the specific knowledge needed for truck accident cases. These claims involve federal regulations, commercial insurance issues, and technical evidence that requires specialized expertise.
Federal Trucking Regulation Knowledge
Truck drivers must follow federal rules that don’t apply to regular drivers:
- Specific blind spot checking procedures
- Hours of service limitations to prevent fatigue
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements
- Special training and licensing standards
Proving violations of these regulations can strengthen your case significantly.
Complex Commercial Insurance Issues
Trucking companies carry multiple insurance policies with high limits, often totaling millions of dollars. These insurers employ experienced defense teams trained specifically to minimize truck accident claims.
You need attorneys who understand these insurance structures and know how to pursue all available coverage.
Evidence Preservation Challenges
Critical evidence in truck accident cases includes:
- Electronic logging device data
- Driver training records
- Vehicle maintenance files
- Company safety policies
- Driver employment history
Commercial operations often have document destruction policies that can eliminate this evidence quickly. We act immediately to preserve everything needed for your case.
Multi-Party Liability Coordination
Successful blind spot truck accident cases may involve claims against:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Maintenance companies
- Cargo loading companies
Pursuing all potentially liable parties requires understanding complex commercial relationships and insurance structures.
How Angel Reyes & Associates Handles Your Case
We provide:
- Immediate investigation to preserve crucial evidence
- Analysis of federal regulation compliance
- Coordination with accident reconstruction experts
- Negotiation with commercial insurance carriers
- Trial preparation and courtroom experience when needed
Our team understands federal trucking safety standards, knows how to investigate liability in complex cases, coordinates with medical experts about injury impacts, and fights for maximum compensation while you focus on recovery.
At Angel Reyes & Associates, we bring over 30 years of experience handling truck accident cases. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your case.
You don’t have to face well-funded trucking companies alone. Let us investigate your accident, preserve the evidence, and fight for the compensation you may deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blind Spot Truck Accidents
The truck driver says he never saw me. Does that help my case?
Potentially. Truck drivers are required to check their blind spots properly before maneuvering. Saying “I never saw the car” may indicate they failed to follow federal safety regulations.
What if I was speeding when the truck hit me?
Even if you were speeding, the truck driver still had a duty to check his blind spots before changing lanes. Speeding might affect your compensation, but it doesn’t automatically eliminate the truck driver’s potential liability.
How long do these cases typically take to resolve?
Most settle within 6-18 months, but complex cases with severe injuries can take longer. We work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while ensuring you receive fair compensation.
What if the trucking company claims their driver was an independent contractor?
Companies often use this defense to avoid liability. We investigate the actual relationship between the driver and company to determine responsibility for the driver’s actions.
Can I still file a claim if the police report assigns me fault?
Yes. Police reports reflect the officer’s initial assessment but aren’t the final determination of fault. We conduct our own investigation to establish what actually happened.
The insurance company offered me a settlement. Should I accept it?
Don’t accept any settlement without having an experienced attorney review it first. Initial offers may be significantly below what your case is actually worth.
