Car accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injuries and fatalities in Washington State. Vehicle blind spots are a significant cause of accidents, most commonly occurring when a driver makes an unsafe lane change, moving into a parallel lane where another vehicle is traveling and causing a sideswipe collision. Large commercial trucks have extended blind spots and are responsible for some of the most devastating accidents; however, all vehicles have blind spots that leave careless drivers susceptible to accidents. Extended front-end blind spots in SUVs are a significant cause of pedestrian accidents and child “front-over accidents.” If you or a loved one has been injured in a blind spot-related collision, contact an experienced Arlington car accident attorney at Wells Trumbull to discuss your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Commercial Truck Blind Spot Accidents In Washington
A blind spot is the area around a vehicle that the driver cannot easily see. Typically, this includes both sides of a car or truck where other vehicles cannot be viewed in the rearview mirror or side mirrors, and can only be seen when a driver looks over their shoulder. The front and back of some vehicles also have blind spots. Blind spot accidents can occur in any type of vehicle, but commercial truck drivers are particularly vulnerable to these accidents due to the extended blind spots created by the size and length of a truck and its trailer. Commercial truck blind spots extend 20 feet in front of the truck, 30 feet behind the truck, across one lane on the driver’s side, as far back as about half the length of the trailer. Additionally, the blind spot on a truck’s passenger side covers two lanes and the entire length of the trailer on the passenger side.
Because of the immense size and weight of commercial trucks, unsafe lane changes caused by blind spots leave other motorists vulnerable to severe or catastrophic injuries. If you’ve been injured in a collision involving a commercial vehicle, an experienced Arlington truck accident lawyer at Wells Trumbull can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
SUV Frontover Blind Spot Accidents
SUVs have a tall design that causes an extended blind spot area in front of the vehicle. Sadly, this safety problem has resulted in a growing number of deadly accidents known as “front-over accidents,” in which drivers roll over children. One study showed that SUV front-end blind spots extend an astonishing 16 feet in front of the vehicle. In the study, nine children lined up in front of an SUV and were not visible to the driver until the tenth child.
Liability In Blind Spot Accidents
In most cases, a driver who merges into another vehicle in a blind spot is liable for damages to other motorists. Under Washington’s RCW 46.61.140, the law states the following:
“A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.”
Unless the other vehicle was illegally passing, a driver who makes an unsafe lane change without making sure the way is clear is liable for the injury victim’s damages. In commercial truck blindspot accidents, the trucking company may be liable as the employer of the driver, or a truck maintenance company that failed to maintain mirrors or blindspot camera equipment.
Drivers in front-over accidents are liable for damages to pedestrians who suffer injuries or the family members of fatally injured pedestrians.
Proving liability in a blind spot accident requires showing evidence that the driver owed a duty of care to the injury victim to take all reasonable measures to avoid causing an accident, they breached their duty of care by making an unsafe lane change, the breach of duty caused an accident with injuries, and the injury victim suffered damages. The burden of proof must be met for the case to meet the above standards of liability.
Recoverable damages in blind spot accident cases include medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering. If an injury victim suffers catastrophic damages, they could recover additional compensation.
How Can a Blind Spot Accident Lawyer Help?
After an accident, it’s difficult to take on a challenging legal process while dealing with physical and emotional trauma. Instead, contact an Arlington personal injury lawyer from Wells Trumbull for experienced representation in your blindspot accident case so your attorney can investigate, document evidence of liability, and calculate your full past and future damages to maximize your financial recovery.