Driving beside an 18-wheeler feels nerve-wracking for good reason. These massive vehicles tower over regular cars. Additionally, their drivers can’t always see you, even when you’re right next to them.
When a truck changes lanes or makes a turn and slams into your vehicle, the results are often catastrophic.
Where trucks can’t see you on the road
Large commercial trucks have four major “no-zones” or blind spots. Here, smaller vehicles essentially disappear from the driver’s view. These blind spots are:
- Right side: Extends across multiple lanes and runs along most of the truck’s length
- Left side: Covers about one lane beside the truck
- Front area: Extends about 20 feet directly in front of the truck
- Rear zone: Spans approximately 30 feet behind the trailer
The law requires commercial drivers to check these zones thoroughly before moving their vehicles.
Blind spots don’t erase a trucker’s responsibility
It’s possible to pursue compensation for injuries even if you were in a truck’s blind spot when the collision occurred. Georgia law holds truck drivers to a higher duty of care because their vehicles have major visibility problems.
Drivers have to ensure they use mirrors properly, check multiple times and even adjust their position to get a better view. If they fail to do this and hit you, you can still hold truck drivers liable for your injuries, even if you were in their blind spot.
How Georgia handles shared fault
Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence system. This means courts assign percentage blame to each person involved in the crash.
It’s possible to recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% responsible. If a court finds you 30% responsible for being in the blind spot, you can still collect 70% of damages.
Getting necessary help after a serious truck crash
Truck collisions usually cause much worse injuries than regular car crashes because trucks are so much bigger and heavier. Medical bills often reach hundreds of thousands of dollars while recovery may take months or years.
Beyond immediate costs, you might face permanent disabilities affecting overall ability to work and enjoy life. Recovering every dollar you are entitled to matters so much for both your physical recovery and your family’s financial stability.