Every motor vehicle has blind spots at the front bumper, back bumper, and along parts of the vehicle’s sides. However, the blind spots for a commercial semi-truck or big rig are substantially larger than those for a typical car. These areas can extend as far as 20 feet in front of the cab, 30 feet behind the rear of the trailer, the truck’s left side at least one traffic lane out, and up to two traffic lanes out from the right side of the vehicle.
Blind spot truck accidents in Hampton are dangerous events with devastating consequences. You may have a difficult time enforcing your rights and getting the compensation you deserve without help from an experienced attorney. By working with Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, you can improve your chances of success and focus on healing while we take care of the rest.
Tractor-trailers are some of the largest and heaviest vehicles on Hampton highways and local roads. The trained professionals driving these massive vehicles must always be careful and attentive behind the wheel. The “duty” truckers owe to other people around them includes an obligation to check their blind spots before turning or switching lanes. If they fail to fulfill that obligation, catastrophic accidents can result.
The large side mirrors on commercial trucks—not to mention the modern collision detection systems installed in many newer models—make it possible for responsible truck drivers to thoroughly check their blind spots before making a traffic maneuver. However, truckers who drive while distracted, intoxicated by alcohol and/or drugs, or overly fatigued are more likely to forget to check their blind spots, increasing the risk of a severe accident. In these situations, our experienced Hampton attorneys can help hold the trucker accountable for your injuries.
Any trucker who collides with another vehicle and injures someone because they failed to check their blind spot may be considered “negligent.” This is the legal basis for most truck accident lawsuits and settlement demands. Depending on the circumstances, liability for damages caused by negligence may lie with the trucker, the company that employed them, or both.
However, insurance companies and defense attorneys may argue that you are partially at fault for the truck accident. They might say that you drove in the truck’s blind spot for an unreasonable amount of time or committed a traffic violation before the incident. In Virginia, “contributory negligence” can reduce your compensation or prevent you from recovering anything. Working with a seasoned Hampton lawyer at our firm is essential to protecting your right to compensation after a blind spot trucking collision.
Lack of care by a commercial truck driver can lead to devastating accidents. One of the simplest forms of trucker negligence is a failure to check the truck’s blind spots. If you were hurt because a trucker did not monitor their surroundings, taking legal action could be vital to protecting your health, recovery, and moving forward with your life.
Guidance from capable legal counsel at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers could make all the difference in your case. We have a track record of success handling blind spot truck accidents in Hampton. Give us a call today for a free consultation about your situation.
Call (757) 333-3333 to request a free consultation