Large commercial trucks are a constant presence on Michigan’s highways, from I-75 and I-94 to US-131 and the busy corridors around Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Flint. While these vehicles are essential to the economy, they also create serious hazards for passenger vehicles. One of the most dangerous situations occurs when a smaller car enters a truck’s blind spot and the truck driver changes lanes, merges, or makes a turn without seeing the vehicle beside them.
Understanding Truck Blind Spots and “No Zones”
Every vehicle has blind spots, but commercial trucks have blind spots that are dramatically larger than those of passenger cars. The U.S. Department of Transportation refers to these areas as “no zones” because driving in them significantly increases the risk of a collision. A typical semi-truck and trailer combination has four major blind spots.
- Front blind spot: Approximately 20 feet directly in front of the cab. The elevated position of the truck driver means they cannot see vehicles that are too close in front of them.
- Rear blind spot: Approximately 30 feet directly behind the trailer. Unlike passenger cars, most commercial trucks have no rearview mirror, so the driver has zero visibility directly behind the trailer.
- Left side blind spot: Extends from the cab door back approximately halfway down the trailer, spanning about one lane width.
- Right side blind spot: The largest and most dangerous zone. It extends from the cab door back along the entire length of the trailer and spans two full lanes of traffic.
The right side blind spot is responsible for a disproportionate number of truck accident injuries because it covers such a vast area. A truck driver making a right turn may have virtually no visibility along the entire right side of the vehicle.
How Blind Spot Truck Accidents Happen in Michigan
Blind spot collisions typically occur during lane changes, merges, and turns. The truck driver checks mirrors, does not see a vehicle in the blind spot, and initiates a maneuver that causes a collision. These accidents happen frequently on Michigan’s multi-lane highways and at intersections where trucks must make wide turns.
Common scenarios involving blind spot truck accidents include a truck changing lanes on the highway and sideswiping a car traveling alongside, a truck merging from an on-ramp without seeing a vehicle in the adjacent lane, a truck making a wide right turn and crushing a car that was positioned next to the trailer, and a car attempting to pass a truck on the right side where the blind spot is largest.
According to the FMCSA, approximately 413,000 large truck crashes occur annually in the United States, and a significant portion involve blind spot factors. In Michigan, the combination of heavy freight traffic, construction zones, and winter driving conditions makes these accidents especially common.
Who Is at Fault in a Blind Spot Truck Accident?
Many people assume that if they were driving in a truck’s blind spot, the accident must be their fault. That assumption is wrong. Truck drivers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to monitor their blind spots and ensure it is safe before changing lanes, merging, or turning.
Professional truck drivers are trained to check mirrors frequently, signal well in advance of lane changes, and take additional precautions when navigating areas with heavy traffic. Modern trucks are increasingly equipped with blind spot detection systems, cameras, and radar-based collision avoidance technology. When a driver or carrier fails to use available safety equipment or neglects basic mirror checks, that negligence can form the basis of a liability claim.
The trucking company may also bear responsibility. Under FMCSA regulations, carriers are required to maintain their vehicles in safe operating condition, which includes ensuring that mirrors and safety systems are properly installed and functioning. If a semi-truck’s mirrors were cracked, improperly adjusted, or missing, the carrier could be held liable for the resulting accident.
Safety Tips for Driving Near Commercial Trucks
While truck drivers bear the primary responsibility for monitoring their blind spots, passenger vehicle drivers can take steps to reduce their risk. Keeping these guidelines in mind can help you stay safer on Michigan roads.
- Maintain extra following distance. Stay at least four to six seconds behind a truck. If you cannot see the truck driver’s face in their side mirror, they cannot see you.
- Do not tailgate. Following a truck too closely puts you in the rear blind spot and eliminates your ability to see traffic conditions ahead. A rear-end collision with a semi-trailer at highway speeds can result in a catastrophic underride crash.
- Pass on the left. The blind spot on the right side of a truck is significantly larger than the left side. Always pass on the left and do so promptly without lingering beside the truck.
- Stay visible near the mirrors. If you can see the truck driver’s face in their side mirror, they can likely see you. Use this as your reference point for staying visible.
- Never drive alongside a turning truck. Large trucks require extra space to complete turns, especially right turns. If a truck is signaling a turn, do not attempt to squeeze between the truck and the curb.
- Be cautious in construction zones. Michigan’s frequent road construction creates narrow lanes and shifting traffic patterns that make blind spot encounters more likely.
Injuries Common in Blind Spot Truck Collisions
Because of the massive size and weight difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle, blind spot accidents frequently result in severe or catastrophic injuries. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage and paralysis, crushed limbs requiring amputation, broken bones and internal organ damage, and severe lacerations from metal and glass.
The physical dimensions of these accidents also create a higher risk of underride collisions, where a smaller vehicle slides beneath the truck’s trailer. Underride crashes are among the most deadly types of traffic accidents and often result in fatalities or life-altering injuries.
Building a Strong Blind Spot Truck Accident Case
Proving liability in a blind spot truck accident requires thorough investigation and evidence gathering. An experienced truck accident attorney will pursue multiple avenues of evidence to build your case.
Electronic logging device (ELD) data can reveal whether the driver was fatigued or in violation of Hours of Service regulations at the time of the crash. Event data recorder (EDR) or “black box” information may show the truck’s speed, braking patterns, and steering inputs in the seconds before impact. Dashcam footage from the truck or nearby vehicles can demonstrate whether the driver checked mirrors or signaled before changing lanes.
The driver’s qualification file, maintained by the carrier under federal regulations, may reveal inadequate training, a history of similar incidents, or failure to complete required safety courses. Maintenance records can show whether the truck’s mirrors, cameras, and blind spot detection systems were properly maintained.
Contact a Michigan Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one was hurt in a blind spot truck accident in Michigan, do not assume the accident was your fault. Truck drivers and trucking companies have a legal obligation to take reasonable precautions, and failing to properly check blind spots is a form of negligence that can support a personal injury claim.
The Joseph Dedvukaj Firm has extensive experience handling complex truck accident cases throughout Michigan. We investigate every aspect of the crash, identify all responsible parties, and fight for the full compensation our clients deserve.
Call 866-HIRE-JOE or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Michigan blind spot truck accident lawyer.