Large commercial trucks create blind spots that can hide entire passenger vehicles. We’re talking about zones that extend along both sides of the trailer, directly behind the truck, and immediately in front of the cab. When drivers change lanes or make turns without adequate visibility, people get hurt. Modern technology can address these dangerous gaps. But here’s what’s frustrating: many trucking companies still operate vehicles without these safety features.
The Scope Of Truck Blind Spot Zones
A standard 18-wheeler has four primary blind spots. The right side is the worst. It extends from the cab to well beyond the trailer and out into two lanes. The left side blind spot runs along the truck’s length and reaches one lane over. Behind the trailer? You’re looking at 30 feet or more where the driver can’t see anything. Up front, there’s a blind spot directly below the cab windshield that spans about 20 feet forward.
Think about what that means. Lane changes become gambling. Merges turn dangerous. Right turns can be deadly. Passenger vehicle drivers often assume that if they can see the truck, the truck driver can see them. That assumption kills people.
Available Technology That Could Prevent Collisions
We’ve got the technology to fix this problem. It exists right now. Several systems address truck blind spot issues effectively, but adoption remains wildly inconsistent:
- Side-view cameras that eliminate blind spots along the trailer
- Blind spot detection sensors that alert drivers to nearby vehicles
- 360-degree camera systems provide complete perimeter visibility
- Automatic emergency braking that responds to detected obstacles
- Lane departure warning systems that prevent drift-related collisions
These systems work. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has documented significant safety improvements in vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems. Yet many trucks on California roads still rely solely on traditional mirrors, which leave substantial areas completely unmonitored.
Why Trucking Companies Skip Safety Upgrades
Cost is the bottom line. Equipping a truck with comprehensive camera and sensor systems requires upfront investment. Some companies won’t retrofit older trucks. They argue the vehicles meet minimum legal requirements. Others delay upgrades until federal regulations mandate them. The decision to save money on safety equipment places everyone on the road at greater risk.
Maintenance plays a role, too. Even trucks with installed safety technology may have non-functioning systems. Cameras get dirty or damaged, and nobody cleans them. Sensors fail and go unrepaired for months. Warning systems get disabled because drivers find them annoying, and the company doesn’t care enough to enforce their use. A San Diego truck accident lawyer can investigate whether safety equipment was present, functional, and properly maintained at the time of a collision.
Proving Negligence In Blind Spot Accidents
When a truck causes a collision because the driver couldn’t see your vehicle, you need to show that better technology would’ve prevented the crash. This isn’t always straightforward. It involves examining what safety systems were installed on the truck and whether those systems were actually working. You’ll need to look at industry standards for similar trucks in the same fleet. Has the trucking company shown a pattern of skipping safety upgrades? What do their Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration compliance records show?
A San Diego truck accident lawyer can obtain maintenance records, inspect the actual truck involved, and compare its equipment to what’s standard in the industry. This evidence helps demonstrate that the trucking company made a conscious choice to operate without adequate safety measures. They knew better and chose profits over safety.
What Happens After A Blind Spot Collision
The immediate aftermath of a truck accident feels chaotic. You’re possibly seriously injured. Your vehicle’s destroyed. The truck driver’s claiming they never saw you. Document everything you can. Get the trucking company name and the truck identification number. Gather contact information from witnesses who saw what happened. The physical proof of missing or non-functional safety equipment can disappear within days. The sooner an attorney can inspect the truck and pull its electronic data, the stronger your case becomes.
California law holds trucking companies accountable when they fail to maintain safe vehicles. If a company knew about blind spot risks and chose not to install available technology, that decision can support a negligence claim. The same logic applies when safety equipment exists, but the company doesn’t maintain it properly. At the Law Office of Elliott Kanter APC, we have extensive experience investigating truck accidents and identifying where trucking companies failed their duty. If you were injured in a collision involving a truck’s blind spot, the firm can review what happened, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.