In some ways, you may assume that a semi truck driver has an incredibly good view of the road. He or she is far higher than all other vehicles, so it’s harder to have that view blocked. The side mirrors on a semi are also far larger and more versatile than those on a minivan or a passenger car.
Truckers don’t have a better view, though, because the vehicle itself creates blind spots. They’re so high, for instance, that there is a substantial blind spot right in front of the truck. There another one right behind the truck since it lacks a traditional rear-view mirror. With the trailer in the way, side mirrors are all that are typically used.
It doesn’t stop there. The driver also has a blind spot on either side of the truck. This is especially true on the right side, farthest from the driver. Yes, the mirrors help, but cars that get tucked up along the side are hidden even from the mirrors.
Truck drivers do try to pay attention to traffic around them to see when a car enters a blind spot and when it emerges. Some put stickers or other notifications on the truck to tell drivers to speed up or slow down, rather than sitting and riding right in the blind spot. However, events on the highway happen very quickly. A trucker who suddenly has to merge or swerve could strike a car that he or she never saw.
Due to size and mass differences between semis and passenger cars, the danger to other drivers is far greater than the danger to truckers. It’s very important for those who are injured in these crashes to know what rights they have to financial compensation.
Source: Drivers Ed, “Blind Spots,” accessed Sep. 15, 2017
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
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