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How Can Blind Spots Cause Car Accidents?

To drive safely, you need to be aware of the other vehicles that are on the road with you. The vehicles in front of you are easy to see. You can see the vehicles behind you in your rearview mirror. Passing vehicles are often visible in your side mirrors. 

However, problems occur when cars pass into your blind spots – the areas around you that are not visible in either your side mirrors or rearview mirror.  When other vehicles enter your blind spots, it is impossible to see them without turning your head from the natural driving position.

When drivers fail to check their blind spots, they increase the risk for collisions and for severe injuries. The experienced car accident attorneys at Studinski Law, LLC have seen firsthand the devastation that blind-spot collisions can inflict on the lives of accident victims. We have the knowledge and skill necessary to pursue the justice and compensation you deserve for your physical, emotional, and financial losses.

Common Causes of Blind-Spot Accidents

“Blind spots” refer to the areas you cannot see with your mirror or eyes without turning your head and diverting your gaze from the road in front of you. Blind-spot accidents can occur for a number of reasons, the most common of which include:

• Lane changes: Blind spot accidents frequently occur during lane changes. It is important for drivers to always use their turn signals and check side mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.
• Merging onto highways: When merging onto highways, drivers often accelerate to very high speeds. In these situations, it is crucial to be mindful of blind spots to avoid serious wrecks.
• Reversing: Whether backing out of a home driveway or other parking spot, drivers should always check blind spots for passing pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

Understanding Different Types of Blind Spots

There are three important types of vehicle blind spots you should understand:

• Blind spots around your own vehicle: These are the areas along the sides of a car toward the back of the vehicle. Blind-spot accidents can occur when vehicles pass through these areas, becoming virtually “invisible” by not appearing in side or rearview mirrors.
• Blind spots around other passenger vehicles: Other cars have blinds spots, too. When you are in the blind spot of another driver, be aware of your position and try not to remain in that potentially dangerous area for very long. 
• Blind spots around large trucks: Around every 18-wheeler is an area sometimes called the “no zone.” This is the area behind the trailer, along each side, and directly in front of the cab. The “no zone” is particularly dangerous because when truck drivers cannot see other vehicles in their blind spots, the consequences can be catastrophic. Injuries suffered in trucking accidents are often far more severe than those sustained in passenger vehicle collisions.

How to Reduce Blind-Spot Accidents

There are several ways to reduce the size of blind spots and avoid blind-spot accidents, including:

• Look over your shoulder: One of the most important things you can do to help prevent blind-spot accidents is to quickly look over your shoulder to check for vehicles before changing lanes.
• Be aware of traffic: Avoid distractions when behind the wheel and ensure you are aware of the traffic around you.
• Use backup cameras: Many newer vehicles come equipped with backup cameras. If your car does not have a backup camera, you may still be able to install one. Backup cameras can greatly reduce collisions while reversing.
• Correctly adjust side mirrors: When your side mirrors are properly adjusted, you should be able to see down the length of your car. You should also be able to see people and objects at the back corner of your vehicle on both sides through these mirrors.
• Adjust the driver’s seat: You should always sit up straight when behind the wheel. Adjusting the driver’s seat, especially if you are a shorter driver, can improve your line of sight.

Who Is at Fault in Blind-Spot Accidents?

When determining fault in a blind-spot accident, it is necessary to establish which party or parties were negligent. In many instances, the driver with the blind spot who attempted to merge or change lanes is held responsible for the collision. However, that is not always the case. Fault ultimately depends on application of all relevant traffic laws.

To prove fault in these types of cases, you must demonstrate that the other driver’s negligence was responsible for the crash. This is why, if you have been involved in a car accident, it is in your best interest to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer. A car accident attorney understands the complexities of these cases and will conduct a thorough investigation to determine what factors led to your collision and if another driver’s negligence played a role in your accident. In trucking accidents, fault may also lie with entities other than the driver, such as the trucking company, maintenance crew, or the individuals responsible for loading the truck’s cargo.

Once an investigation is conducted and evidence is gathered to support your claim, a car accident attorney can help you pursue the full and fair compensation to which you may be entitled under the law. 

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Wisconsin Today

Your first step toward the justice and compensation you may deserve for your car accident begins with a free, no-obligation consultation. Our seasoned car accident lawyer will listen to your side of the story and explain your rights and legal options.

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If you have been injured in a car wreck, call Studinski Law, LLC today at (715) 343-2850 for a free case review. Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout Wisconsin, including Plover and Marshfield.