Blind Spot Accident Attorney

Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Alpharetta, GA and Surrounding Cities

Because commercial trucks are considerably larger than standard passenger vehicles, they have numerous blind spots. Delivery vans and 18 wheelers do not have the benefit of side and rear window visibility when changing lanes, and must, therefore, rely on their mirrors to ensure a lane is clear before they enter it. Accidents involving commercial vehicles can cause catastrophic injuries, that usually require the assistance of an expert personal injury lawyer in pursuit of compensation for harm. Alpharetta truck accident lawyer Casey W. Stevens has over 25 years of experience helping the injured across North Georgia, including those who have been injured in blind-spot related accidents. Contact us today for a free consultation from an award-winning trucking accident attorney.

Blind Spots on a Commercial Truck

Because commercial vehicles must rely on their mirrors to ensure they can change lanes with caution, they must ensure they have the proper mirrors for their vehicles. They must adjust the mirrors properly for the driver's height and seat position. They must also be sure the vehicle operator is trained to use the mirrors properly. Commercial trucks have blind spots on every side. The blind spots are located in front of the truck cab, about six feet in front of the nose of the cab. Failure to ensure this blind spot is clear could cause a commercial vehicle to run over a pedestrian or other object. Vehicles like school buses have arms that extend in front of the vehicle to force pedestrians to walk well in front of them, better ensuring their safety. Another blind spot is situated directly behind the trailer. Trucks like box trucks and moving vans cannot see several feet directly behind them even with mirrors, which increases their risk of backing into or over another vehicle or pedestrian. Blind spots in commercial trucks are also located under the window and along the body of the trailer on the driver’s side and on the passenger side if the mirrors are not properly situated.

What to Expect After a Blind Spot Accident

Truck drivers have an obligation to operate their trucks in a safe and responsible manner. As indicated above, many things factor into that safe operation. A top personal injury lawyer will be able to investigate and prove when a truck driver is responsible for a wreck and consequential injuries to a victim. The car accident attorney will establish “negligence”, which is the legal standard to pursue damages. According to Georgia Code, Title 51, negligence is defined as the failure to exercise a certain degree of care to minimize risks of injury to others. For instance, when a truck driver fails to ensure their blind spot is clear before backing up, they could be found to be negligent. However, Georgia is also a “contributory negligence” state. According to Georgia Code, Title 51, Section 51-11-7, the other party in an accident might be found to have contributed to the accident. For instance, if the truck driver failed to check their blind spot before backing up, but they had a sign on their truck asking other vehicles to stay back 40 feet. If the vehicle impacted by the truck did not adhere to the 40 feet buffer instructions, they might be found to be all or partially at fault. Under Georgia law, however, even if an injured person bears some of the fault for causing an accident, they can still recover damages, although any damages awarded to them will be reduced in proportion to their amount of fault. In situations like this, the expertise of an expert truck accident lawyer is imperative, especially if the damages are physical.

Pursuing a Claim Against the Truck Driver’s Employer

Many drivers of commercial vehicles are employed by a large company like Amazon or Fed Ex, and after a blind spot accident, the victim can pursue claims against the company. Other times truck drivers are independent contractors and do not work directly for a company. In some cases, a claim can be filed against more than one party in the case of a trucking accident. For instance, a claim can be filed against the trucking company as well as the truck manufacturer or even the truck maintenance provider if the injuries were a result of faulty maintenance or design. Knowing who to file a claim against is the first step in getting fair compensation for your injuries. The statute of limitations for filing a suit in the State of Georgia is two years. Don’t make the mistake of filing your case against the wrong party.

Consult an Award-Winning Alpharetta Attorney to Discuss Your Options

Casey W. Stevens Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers represents victims of trucking accidents in lawsuits throughout North Georgia. We have five convenient office locations, or we’ll come to you!

Office locations: Alpharetta/Roswell, Woodstock, Canton, Dawsonville, Atlanta, Suwanee. Serving these counties: Fulton, Forsyth, Hall, Gwinnett, Dawson, Fayette, Gilmer, Cherokee, Dekalb, Borrow, Bartow, Coweta, Spalding, Douglas, Newton, and Walton.