A typical semi truck, or tractor-trailer, can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, according to the Utah Department of Transportation.

Most passenger vehicles, in comparison, weigh about two tons, or 4,000 pounds.

Which is why it is important to be sure truck drivers can see your car, and that you know how to avoid a truck driver’s blind spot, react accordingly, and avoid an accident.

What is a Blind Spot?

Blind spots are areas surrounding a vehicle where the driver is unable to see. If other cars are in a driver’s blind spot, the driver may not be able to see the vehicles, which can lead to a crash. The same is true for large vehicles such as semi trucks.

Where Are the Blind Spots on a Semi Truck?

There are four main blind spots on a semi truck: the front, the back, and on either side of the vehicle. Depending on which one, they can extend for quite a distance – up to 30 feet or two lanes of traffic.

In front of the semi truck, there is a 20-foot blind spot. Due to the height of the truck, truck drivers cannot always see directly in front of them.

Behind the semi truck, there is a 30-foot blind spot. The positioning of a truck’s mirrors and the length of its cargo trailer can result in limited visibility directly behind the truck.

On the left side of a semi truck, the blind spot extends for one lane. When a car cannot be seen through the car’s mirrors or by the driver turning to glance back, they are in the blind spot.

The blind spot on the right side of a semi truck is larger. On the right side, the driver has to rely solely on the mirrors to see cars. The trucker cannot lean over the cabin to see if cars are in their blind spot. As a result, the right side blind spot lasts for two full lanes as opposed to only one on the left side.

How Can I Avoid a Semi Truck’s Blind Spots?

Driving defensively can help drivers avoid accidents caused by the blind spots on semi trucks. The following recommendations may help keep drivers safe while sharing the road with these large vehicles:

•  Stay aware of where you are in relation to a truck and their blind spots.
•  Avoid the sides of trucks in order to stay out of their blind spots.
•  Make sure you can always see the truck’s side mirrors. If you can’t see the driver, they can’t see you.
•  When driving behind a semi truck, watch for turn signals and brake lights in order to be prepared for sudden traffic changes.
•  Avoid tailgating. It is recommended to leave a four-second distance between your car and the back of a truck in front of you.
•  Be patient with slow-moving trucks; being aggressive will only result in a crash.
•  Remember that trucks need more room when turning, so be aware of semi trucks when taking turns at the same time.
•  When passing a semi truck, remember to signal early and move quickly through a truck’s blind spots.
•  Make sure to leave at least two car lengths when merging in front of a semi truck. Do not slow down before merging.

Factors in Truck Accidents

Several semi truck accidents around the nation recently identify different reasons these dangerous mishaps occur.

In Richmond, Ind. last month, a truck driver who had been convicted of drug-related felonies smashed into a Chevrolet Impala in an accident that left four children dead.

Corey Robert Withrow, 21, had been convicted of drug-related felonies and was driving his semi truck at 72 miles per hour when he hit the car. The father of the four children was seriously injured when both vehicles caught fire. He was placed in a medically induced coma in the burn unit of an Indianapolis hospital.

Withrow tested positive for cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy test in a preliminary toxicology report, according to Pal-Item.com.

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles which granted Withrow a commercial driver’s license does not withhold a driver’s license due to previous felony convictions, according to the agency’s website. Withrow was driving for Barnets, Inc., a trucking company based out of Camden, Ohio.

Trucking Industry Analyzes Issues

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration held its annual Trucking Safety Summit through a virtual platform on Aug. 5 this year.

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, told the group that speeding, distractions such as cell phones, opioid use, legalized recreational marijuana in a number of states and poorly maintained infrastructure are among the safety hazards.

Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said, “Driving a truck is a highly skilled profession. More professional instruction would reduce crashes and help prepare individuals for a safe and viable career in trucking.”

Truck Accidents

Of course, there is always the possibility that truck drivers are driving recklessly, meaning that drivers may find themselves in an accident regardless of how responsible they are.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says a total of 4,102 people died in large truck accidents in 2017; more than 65 percent of the injured parties were in passenger vehicles.

Some of these accidents may also involve pedestrians. As blind spots on a semi truck include the area directly in front of the truck, and additional blind spots may be created during a turn, pedestrians who are crossing the street may be at additional risk of being hit by an 18 wheeler.

In Texas earlier this month, a semi truck struck a pedestrian as the woman stepped into a crosswalk after the light indicated she could go, the local NBC affiliate reported.  A witness who saw the crash said the woman had the right of way, and that the semi truck did not slow down or stop after running her over, indicating that the driver may not have realized there had been an accident.

Since the front of a semi is very high off of the ground, there may be a much larger blindspot at the front of the vehicle than pedestrians are aware. In another case involving a man struck by a garbage truck making a left turn, a post-accident analysis showed that the pedestrian was only visible in the truck’s mirrors for just more than one second while the pedestrian was crossing the street, according to Yahoo News!

Individuals who suffer personal injury from a truck driving accident caused by the semi driver’s negligence can pursue a lawsuit to cover medical costs and other damages. Hiring a qualified attorney to review your case may be the first step towards pursuing damages including compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, wrongful death, and more.