Semitrucks are very challenging to drive, in large part because of their size. One of the elements that makes them risky to be around on the road is how their size creates blind spots. Many of the cabs have extra mirrors. Even then, it will be impossible for the driver to see all the way around the vehicle.
Any time that drivers cannot properly monitor traffic conditions nearby, there is an unignorable risk of preventable collisions. There are two main ways in which a truck’s large blind spots could potentially lead to a crash.
Truckers could merge or turn when they shouldn’t
The big blind spots around a truck make it hard for a commercial driver to make safety-conscious choices. They could potentially turn or merge when there is another vehicle next to their trailer or directly behind them that they cannot see. Those big blind spots often mean that drivers make the wrong choice and cause a crash with severe consequences for the occupants of the vehicle they overlooked.
Drivers can’t see around trucks when passing
Those driving directly behind a semitruck may not be visible to the commercial driver. They may also be unable to safely monitor the traffic ahead of the commercial vehicle. If someone intends to pass a semi, the blind spot behind the vehicle might leave them unable to properly monitor traffic, which could lead to a head-on collision with a vehicle coming the opposite way.
Adjusting one’s behavior in traffic to account for known risk factors, including the blind spots around trucks, could help reduce their personal risk of a collision. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a crash caused by a large commercial truck, it’s crucial to seek legal guidance to seek fair compensation.