The “no-zones,” or blind spots, on commercial trucks are much larger than you might think. While your passenger car likely has a few blind spots, they are nothing like the blind spots tractor-trailer drivers have to deal with.
Tractor-Trailers Have No-Zones on All Sides
In order to see in your vehicle’s blind spots, you probably have to turn your head over your shoulder to see if anyone is driving near the rear of your car. Large trucks do not have that luxury. A truck driver cannot simply look over their shoulder and see if there are vehicles in their no-zones.
As you can see in the graphic above, truck drivers cannot see you if you are within:
- 20 ft of the front of the truck
- 30 ft behind the truck
- In the lane to the left of the truck
- In one of the two lanes to the right of the truck
Since truckers cannot see for two whole lanes to the right, it is particularly dangerous to pass a tractor-trailer on the right side.
Cutting Off a Truck Is Extremely Dangerous
Now that you know just how massive the blind spots are on a truck, it’s easy to understand why it would be a bad idea to suddenly cut in front of a big rig with little or no warning. Not only are trucks enormous vehicles that weigh thousands of pounds, but drivers are also unable to see the areas immediately in front of them.
The graphic above illustrates the enormous differences in weight between a person riding a bicycle, a common passenger vehicle, and a bus. Remember, it’s in everyone’s best interest to give trucks and busses plenty of space to avoid accidents, and ultimately, injuries and fatalities.
If you’ve experienced the unfortunate event of becoming injured in a trucking accident through no fault of your own, you may seek compensation. Let our skilled team of Arkansas personal injury attorneys go to work for you.
CONTACT THE EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS AT CADDELL REYNOLDS LAW FIRM BY CALLING 800-671-4100 OR FILLING OUT AN ONLINE CONTACT FORM TODAY.
