According to the National Highway Safety Administration, there are more than 800,000 blind spot accidents that happen every year in the U.S.
Fortunately, this type of accident is rarely fatal. Out of those 800,000 accidents, it is estimated that there are 300 fatalities. However, even the smallest of accidents can lead to physical and emotional injuries. Thus, having a profound impact on your life.
Are you interested in learning more about blind spots so you can increase the risk that you always get to your destination safely?
Let’s take a look at what you need to know.
What Are Blind Spots?
When you are driving on the road, safety is of the utmost importance. Being aware of the other vehicles on the road with you is an essential aspect of safe driving.
If you are going to change lanes, it’s vital that you don’t do so unless you are sure you have enough space to safely move your car over. This means that you need to know precisely where other vehicles are before changing lanes.
It’s easy to see the vehicles that are in front of you. Even the vehicles directly behind you are easily viewed in the rearview mirror. In the side mirrors and through your windows, you can see vehicles that are passing you on either side.
The issue arises when a car is positioned in a spot where you can’t see it either in your side mirror or rearview mirror. This means that a car can be very close to you but you aren’t able to see it.
In order to see a vehicle that is in a blind spot, you have to turn your head away from your natural driving position. It’s for this reason that blind spots cause so many accidents. Drivers will change lanes without checking their blind spots, mistakenly thinking that they are safe to do so because they don’t see any vehicles in their mirrors.
In this situation, it’s hard to prevent a collision. Vehicles in your blind spot are dangerously close even though you can’t see them in your mirrors.
Tractor-Trailer Blind Spots
While there are blind spots in any car, the tractor-trailer trucks you see driving on interstates over the country have even worse visibility issues. There are blind spots on all four sides of these vehicles, making it important for both truck drivers and other drivers on the road to use caution when changing lanes and passing each other.
Truck drivers only have their side mirrors to rely on when they are driving. This is why there are often warning labels on the back of these vehicles, warning of the fact that they have large blind spots.
Where Are Your Blind Spots?
The term blind spot is usually used to describe one particular position. When there is a car about to pass you in the next lane to the left, you can at first see it in both your driver’s side mirror and rearview mirror. As the car gets closer, there will be a period of time where you can see the vehicle in your side mirror but no longer in your rearview mirror.
There is a point as the car pulls up next to your car where you can’t see it in your field of perception through the window nor can you see it in your side or rearview mirror anymore. This is what is commonly referred to as the blind spot.
However, there are other potential blind spots in your vehicle. These include:
- Directly behind the back bumper
- Directly in front of the front bumper
- A triangle-shaped space on the passenger side extending from the front bumper backward for at least the length of the vehicle
The dimensions of blind spots vary between vehicles. Some of the factors that influence the size and positioning of a blind spot include:
- The size, height, shape, and contents of a vehicle
- The visual acuity, level of alertness, and height of the driver
- Weather and other road conditions
If you’ve been in a blind spot accident, a car accident lawyer in Tampa can help.
How to Prevent Blind Spot Accidents
As automobile technology advances, manufacturers have been adding more and more features in an effort to prevent blind spot accidents. However, these technologies are not foolproof, and it’s important to always exercise caution when changing lanes or operating a vehicle in any way.
Some of the things you can do to help prevent blind spot accidents include:
- Slowing down
- Using a convex mirror
- Purchasing and installing blind spot mirrors
- Physically turning to check blind spots
- Adjusting side-view mirrors to reduce the size of your blind spots
It isn’t uncommon for blind spot accidents to occur. Whether it’s a small fender bender or a more serious accident, a car accident lawyer can help guide you through the legal process that could be attached.
Are You Searching For Car Accident Lawyers in Tampa?
If you’ve been in an accident that was caused by blind spots, it can cause a great deal of pain, suffering, and financial stress. When you hire a car injury attorney, they can help represent you both in dealing with your insurance company as well as in a civil claim.
There are a number of different types of compensation that are possible when you’ve been in a car or truck accident. These include medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of future earnings.
Do you need help navigating the legal world after an accident? If so, contact us today!