Why Blind Spots Cause So Many Truck Accidents: The Unseen Danger

On South Carolina highways, a passenger car can disappear from a truck driver’s view in seconds. Large commercial trucks have wide blind spots, called No-Zones, where smaller vehicles vanish entirely from view. When a truck driver changes lanes or turns without checking these areas, a serious truck accident can happen, often causing severe injuries and extensive damage.

Even with advanced mirrors and safety systems, truck drivers must remain alert and fully aware of their surroundings. Federal safety rules require them to clear their blind spots before moving the truck. Many fail to do so, leading to preventable collisions on busy routes such as I-26 and I-95 across South Carolina.

If you were injured in a truck crash caused by a negligent driver, you have the right to pursue compensation. An experienced South Carolina truck accident lawyer at Hughey Law Firm can investigate the cause, gather critical evidence, and hold the trucking company accountable.

Call (843) 881-8644 today for a free consultation to protect your rights and learn how we can help you recover.

Key Takeaways About How Truck Blind Spots Lead to Devastating Collisions

• Commercial trucks have four large blind spots, or “No-Zones,” on the front, back, and both sides, where smaller vehicles become invisible to the driver.
• The blind spot on the right side of a semi-truck is the largest and most dangerous, often extending across multiple lanes of traffic.
• Even with large mirrors, truck drivers have a legal duty to be aware of their surroundings and take extra precautions to clear their blind spots before maneuvering.
• Collisions involving blind spots are often caused by driver negligence, such as failing to signal, check mirrors properly, or using blind spot detection technology.
• An experienced truck accident attorney reviews electronic data, examines driver logs, and interviews witnesses to prove fault.

Understanding Truck Blind Spots and No-Zones on South Carolina Highways

Because of their sheer size, commercial trucks create major operational challenges—especially the large areas around the vehicle where drivers can’t see other cars. These No-Zones are much larger than the blind spots on a standard passenger car. 

A driver sitting high in the cab, nearly ten feet off the ground, has a commanding view of the road ahead but a severely limited view of the areas immediately surrounding the rig. The long trailer makes the problem worse, blocking the driver’s view for hundreds of feet to the rear and sides.

These blind spots are an inherent part of operating a large truck, but they do not excuse negligent behavior. Professional truck drivers are trained extensively on how to manage their No-Zones. 

They must continually check mirrors, adjust their position for better visibility, and rely on safety technology to reduce these blind spots. When they fail, the consequences on roads like I-95 or near the Port of Charleston can be life-altering for others.

The Four Main Truck Blind Spots Drivers Need to Know

A truck’s blind spots surround the entire vehicle, creating dangerous zones on every side. A South Carolina truck accident attorney understands the specific risks associated with each zone.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has identified four main No-Zones that every driver on the road should be aware of. Understanding these areas helps illustrate how easily a collision can occur.

• The Right Side: This is the largest and most dangerous blind spot, extending from the cab back along the trailer and covering multiple lanes to the right. It is a primary cause of lane-change accidents.
• The Left Side: While smaller than the right-side blind spot, the No-Zone on the driver’s side is still large enough to hide a passenger car completely from view.
• The Front: A truck driver sits high above the road, creating a blind spot that can extend up to 20 feet in front of the cab. A smaller car that cuts too closely in front of a truck can disappear from the driver’s sight.
• The Rear: The area directly behind the trailer is a complete No-Zone for up to 200 feet. A truck driver has no way of seeing a vehicle that is tailgating.

A driver’s failure to account for any of these zones before braking, turning, or changing lanes can place other motorists in immediate peril.

Dangers of Right-Side Blind Spots and Wide Turns in Truck Accidents

The massive right-side blind spot is especially dangerous during turns. To navigate a 90-degree right turn, a truck driver must often swing wide to the left first, occupying part of the adjacent lane. 

A car driver in that lane may mistakenly believe the truck is turning left and attempt to pass on the right, placing them directly in the truck’s largest No-Zone as the trailer cuts across the lane. This common scenario, known as a “squeeze play” accident, is a direct result of the blind spot’s danger.

When Driver Negligence Turns a Blind Spot Into a Collision

Blind spots are an unavoidable part of trucking, but crashes linked to them almost always stem from driver error.

Professional drivers are held to a higher standard of care than typical motorists under both federal law and South Carolina’s rules of the road. They have a legal duty to operate their 80,000-pound vehicles with extreme caution, and this includes a rigorous protocol for checking and clearing their No-Zones.

A collision often happens when a driver becomes complacent, distracted, or is rushing to meet a deadline. They might glance quickly at a mirror instead of adjusting their position to get a full view around the trailer.

They might fail to use their turn signal, giving other drivers no warning of their intentions. These shortcuts are forms of negligence, and a Charleston truck crash lawyer works to expose them.

How Poor Training and Inexperience Lead to Truck Blind Spot Crashes

Not all drivers have the same level of training or experience. A trucking company may rush a new driver onto the road without sufficient hands-on training in managing No-Zones in heavy traffic. 

An experienced truck accident lawyer will investigate the driver’s employment file to determine if they received adequate training or had a history of similar incidents, which could point to negligence on the part of the trucking company for putting an unsafe driver on the road.

Distraction and Complacency

Even experienced drivers can fall into complacency. After thousands of hours on the road, checking blind spots can turn from a careful safety practice into a mindless routine.

Distractions only make this problem worse. Whether adjusting a GPS, talking on the dispatch radio, or glancing at a cell phone, a driver’s focus drifts away from the road. 

In just a few seconds of inattention, another vehicle can slip into a No-Zone, leaving the driver to initiate a lane change unaware of the hidden danger beside them.

Common Truck Driver Mistakes That Cause Blind Spot Accidents

A driver’s failure to follow established safety procedures is often at the heart of a blind spot accident. These preventable mistakes frequently lead to serious injury or death.

An experienced truck accident lawyer investigates specific acts of negligence that cause these collisions. Some of the most common forms of driver negligence include:

• Failing to properly adjust and clean all mirrors before starting a trip.
• Neglecting to use turn signals well in advance of a lane change or turn.
• Changing lanes too quickly without allowing time to confirm the path is clear.
• Driving while distracted by a cell phone, GPS, or other in-cab device.

Proving that one or more of these negligent acts occurred is a key part of building a successful personal injury claim.

Proving Liability in a South Carolina Truck Accident Claim

Trucking companies and their insurance carriers have teams of lawyers ready to defend their drivers. They will almost always argue that the other driver was at fault for being in the No-Zone. A successful claim requires a powerful counter-narrative backed by undeniable evidence, especially if you need to sue for a truck accident to recover full compensation.

Your attorney’s primary job is to gather this evidence and use it to prove the truck driver was negligent. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large trucks are involved in a significant number of fatal multi-vehicle crashes, highlighting the importance of holding negligent drivers and companies accountable.

Building a strong case goes well beyond the initial police report. It involves obtaining and analyzing complex technical data, driver records, and company policies. 

The goal is to create a complete picture of the moments leading up to the impact, showing that the trucker, and potentially their employer, were the ones who acted carelessly.

Evidence an Attorney Gathers to Prove Your Case

The evidence needed to win a truck accident case is often held by the trucking company itself. An attorney uses the legal process to compel them to turn it over.

To combat the trucking company’s defense, a lawyer focuses on collecting specific pieces of evidence. This often includes:

• Electronic Control Module (ECM) Data: The truck’s “black box” records speed, braking, steering inputs, and other operational data.
• Driver Qualification File: This file contains the driver’s training history, driving record, and any past safety violations.
• Hours of Service (HOS) Logs: These logs can show if the truck driver was fatigued from driving beyond the legal limits, which impairs judgment and reaction time.
• Witness Statements: Locating and interviewing anyone who saw the collision provides an objective perspective that can counter the truck driver’s version of events.

This collection of evidence can transform a case from the driver’s word against yours into a fact-based demonstration of negligence.

Holding the Trucking Company Accountable

Liability may not stop with the driver. The trucking company itself has a duty to ensure its vehicles are safe and its drivers are qualified. 

An investigation may reveal systemic failures that contributed to the blind spot accident. For example, if the truck was not equipped with legally required mirrors or its blind spot detection system was broken, the company might be held liable for negligent maintenance. 

Similarly, if a company’s delivery schedules push drivers to speed or exceed hours-of-service limits, the company may share responsibility for the crash. This is a vital part of any claim, as trucking companies often carry much larger insurance policies than individual drivers.

How a Truck Accident Lawyer from Hughey Law Firm Investigates Your Case

When a trucking company says “the car was in my blind spot,” they’re trying to shift the blame. At Hughey Law Firm, we move quickly to investigate and uncover the facts, showing that a driver’s failure to manage their No-Zones is negligent. Acting promptly matters because key evidence can disappear soon after a crash.

Our first step is sending a spoliation letter to the trucking company. This legal notice requires them to preserve all evidence related to the wreck, including black box data, dashcam footage, driver logs, and maintenance records. It prevents the company from destroying or misplacing evidence that could help your case.

Next, we send investigators to the crash scene on I-26 or another South Carolina road to record skid marks, debris, and roadway conditions. We also work with accident reconstruction experts who use physical and electronic evidence to recreate what happened. 

Their analysis can show the truck’s speed, lane position, and whether the driver had time to see your vehicle but failed to react. With this approach, we build a case based on facts, not the trucking company’s story.

FAQs for Truck Accident Lawyers

What should I do if the truck driver says I was in their blind spot?

Do not argue or admit fault at the scene. State only the facts to the police. The phrase “you were in my blind spot” is an attempt to shift blame. It is your lawyer’s job to show that the truck driver had a duty under laws like South Carolina Code § 56-5-1900 to see what was there to be seen before moving.

Can the trucking company be held responsible for a blind spot accident?

Yes. Under a legal principle called vicarious liability, employers are generally responsible for the negligent acts of their employees. Furthermore, the company may be directly negligent if they failed to provide adequate training on blind spot safety or if the truck’s mirrors or sensors were poorly maintained.

How does a lawyer prove what a truck driver could or could not see?

Attorneys often work with accident reconstruction experts. These experts can use software and crash site data to simulate the accident and determine the exact lines of sight from the truck driver’s perspective, proving whether your vehicle was visible moments before the lane change or turn.

What if the truck was equipped with blind spot detection technology?

If the truck had safety technology like side-view cameras or warning sensors, your attorney will investigate if the system was working properly. If the driver ignored a warning or the system was broken due to poor maintenance, it can be strong evidence of negligence against both the driver and the company.

How much time do I have to file a claim in South Carolina?

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina is typically three years from the date of the accident. It is vital to contact a lawyer long before this deadline to allow enough time for a thorough investigation, evidence preservation, and case preparation.

Get Legal Help After a Truck Blind Spot Accident in South Carolina

A collision with a semi-truck is not just another car accident. It is a violent event caused by a professional driver who failed to uphold their duty to keep others safe. If you were involved in a truck accident, the consequences can be life-changing.

You are now facing a difficult recovery, and the trucking company’s insurers are not on your side. Their priority is protecting profits, which means they may try to reduce or deny your claim. You need a legal team that understands what you’re going through and knows how to stand up to them.

At Hughey Law Firm, our attorneys have the experience, resources, and determination to take on powerful trucking companies and their defense teams. We will build a strong case to help you recover the compensation your family needs to move forward.

Don’t let the trucking company shift the blame for their driver’s negligence. Call us today at (843) 881-8644 for a free consultation.

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Nathan Hughey, an attorney and fourth-generation South Carolinian, founded Hughey Law Firm in 2007. Before that, he spent five years defending nursing homes and insurance companies. Leveraging his experience, he now advocates for those injured or wronged by such entities, securing over $290 million in verdicts and settlements.