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In 2023, 188 crashes across Georgia involved a large commercial truck and resulted in a fatality. While most commercial trucks that transport essential goods across the country conclude their journeys safely, the accidents that do happen can devastate their victims.
Why Are Truck Blind Spots So Dangerous?
Commercial trucks have significant blind spots – often called “no-zones” – in which they cannot see traditional passenger vehicles at all. The left-side blind spot covers at least one full lane to the truck’s left, the front blind spot extends approximately 20 feet forward from the truck’s bumper, and the rear blind spot stretches up to 200 feet behind the trailer. The right-side blind poses an especially significant threat to other cars, as this no-zone extends across multiple lanes and stretches back nearly 30 feet.
Many drivers do not know how to pass a semi-truck’s blind spots safely; when they maneuver into these blind spots, truck drivers lose vision of them completely. And when those trucks change lanes or make turns, they may inadvertently cause a catastrophic collision with a car in their no-zone.
When on the road with a semi-truck, remember this rule of thumb: If you can’t see a truck’s mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you.
How Can Technology Help Mitigate Blind Spot Dangers?
Thankfully for both truck drivers and passenger cars, commercial technicians have created new tools for addressing truck blind spot hazards. Many commercial fleets in Georgia now come equipped with blind spot detection systems that use sensors and cameras to alert drivers when vehicles enter their no-zones. Some of these cameras even offer commercial drivers a 360-degree view of their surroundings, greatly reducing the risk of a blind spot accident.
Unfortunately, because of the age of some shipping trucks and inherent technological limitations, some commercial vehicles cannot use these new advancements. Passenger vehicle drivers should always behave as if a truck does not have these cameras to avoid potential collisions.
How Do Wide Turns Contribute to Truck Accidents?
Due to their length and limited maneuverability, trucks require substantially more space to execute turns – if a commercial truck wants to turn to the right, for example, it needs to initially swing wide left to create clearance for itself.
However, many drivers do not know about this necessary turn radius, which can create one of two primary hazards: First, a vehicle can attempt to pass the truck on the right during the truck’s right turn, creating what’s known as the “right turn squeeze.” Second, a car can collide with a truck if the driver fails to anticipate the initial swing left, in a hazard known as the “wide left.”
What Is the Physics Behind Wide Truck Turns?
Commercial trucks make wide turns because of “off-tracking” or “trailer tracking.” The rear wheels of the trailer follow a tighter path than the tractor’s front wheels, and therefore need more space to execute a standard turn. For a standard 53-foot trailer, this difference can add up to as much as a 15-foot discrepancy between the front and rear wheel path during a 90-degree turn. As a result, commercial trucks generally need about 27 feet of clearance to execute that turn. For reference, passenger vehicles typically only need about 11 feet.
How Can You Recognize When a Truck is Preparing for a Wide Turn?
Commercial drivers know to signal well in advance of turning – they typically turn on their signals 100 feet or more before the intersection.
Watch for these key indicators to avoid getting into an accident involving a truck’s wide turn:
- The truck may flip on its turn signal well ahead of an intersection
- The truck may position itself partially on an adjacent lane
- The truck may dramatically reduce its speed without an oncoming stoplight
- The truck may take a slight turn in the opposite direction of its intended path
Finding Support for Truck Accident Claims with the Truck Accident Attorneys at Joshua E. Palmer Law Firm
If you experienced an injury in a truck accident in Georgia, let our truck accident attorneys at Joshua E. Palmer Law Firm help you. We can guide you through the legal aftermath, answer all your questions, advocate on your behalf, and let you focus on healing physically and emotionally from your injuries. Don’t wait – call us today or fill out our online form for a free consultation today.
