The occupants of an average car, which weighs about 3,000 pounds, are in great danger in a blind-spot collision with a fully loaded semi-truck, which can weigh 80,000 pounds. Fatalities linked to blind spots are common, while injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Deep cuts resulting in permanent scars
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back injuries, including cracked vertebrae and herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in partial, temporary or permanent paralysis
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Crushed limbs requiring amputation
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns, when the collision results in a fire
Beyond injuries, accident victims face economic and other challenges:
- Immediate medical expenses, including ambulance services, hospital says, doctor visits, medication, etc.
- Future medical expenses related to a lengthy recovery, multiple surgeries or permanent disability
- Rehab costs, such as physical therapy and medical devices (wheelchairs, crutches, canes, artificial limbs, etc.)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium with a spouse
- Scarring, disfigurement, loss of quality of life and other non-economic damages
Where are blind spots located?
The sheer size of an 18-wheeler makes it almost impossible for the trucker to see other vehicles:
- About 20 feet in front of the truck’s cab
- About 30 feet behind the truck’s trailer
- On the right side of the truck’s cab, extending backward diagonally
- Immediately below and behind the driver’s window
In some cases, a trucker’s aggressive driving can lead to an accident. A trucker, for example, may cut off another vehicle or hit their brakes to warn a driver to back off. In other cases, a trucker may simply fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes, turning and performing other maneuvers. You can protect yourself by avoiding a trucker’s blind spots.
When you need to see an attorney
If you have been injured in a blind spot accident, you may be suffering from major injuries and unable to work or support your family. At worst, your family is mourning the loss of a loved one. The trucker is not going to admit any fault, even if they were responsible by ignoring blind-spot dangers. In fact, they probably are going to blame you. Your physical, mental and emotional pressures may seem unbearable. On top of it all, an insurance company will tempt you with a financial settlement offer that comes nowhere near to meeting your needs but is tempting because you need the money.
The truck accident attorneys at Smith Law Office have more than 40 years of combined experience representing people just like you in Columbus and central Ohio. We know how the local legal system works, and are not afraid to take on big truck companies, their attorneys and their insurance companies. In the meantime, we will give you the personal attention that you deserve. Contact us today for a free case consultation.
