Large commercial vehicles have significant blind spots. These areas vary in size, but they exist on every side of a moving truck. When operators fail to keep a watchful eye on vehicles in their vicinity, accidents can happen.
If you were injured in a blind-spot truck accident in Allentown, you may be entitled to compensation. You have the right to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver and potentially their employer. To get the most out of your case, let a dedicated injury attorney advise you of your options.
Blind spots are major hazards because truck drivers are unable to see in these areas while driving. These areas include 20 feet in front of a large truck and roughly 200 feet behind it. There is no way for the operator to see these areas because of the height of the vehicle and the length of the trailer.
The blind spots are different on each side. To the left, it extends from the door to just past the trailer. On the right, it runs from the door past the full length of the vehicle.
The risk of a truck accident in Allentown increases when motorists travel in a truck’s blind spots. They are especially dangerous when the truck operator carelessly changes lanes or decelerates rapidly without ensuring the nearby area is clear of traffic.
Most Allentown blind spot truck accidents are accidental. However, it is not necessary to prove the trucker intentionally caused the crash to be entitled to compensation. These cases are built on a theory of negligence, meaning their careless or reckless actions caused the collision.
There are four elements required to prove negligence. First, a plaintiff has to show the truck driver owed them a duty of care. This is usually not a contested issue, given that every motorist owes those they share the highway with a duty to drive safely.
The next step in a successful case is establishing that the duty of care was breached. This can happen in a variety of ways, but the most common example is providing evidence the truck driver changed lanes without checking their blind spot for other motorists.
The third element is causation. This is the link between a plaintiff’s injuries and the defendant’s breached duty of care. The responsible driver is only liable for the harm they caused in the accident.
Finally, recovering financial compensation is only possible when there is evidence of compensable damages. These include the physical, financial, and emotional losses that are common with an accident. A successful claim could provide for a plaintiff’s pain and suffering, pay for their medical bills, or replace the wages they lost while recovering from their injury. An experienced attorney can answer questions about what a case is worth.
Careless truck drivers are a significant threat on the roadway, especially when it comes to blind-spot truck accidents in Allentown. If you were hurt in a crash, you have the right to pursue legal action and secure the compensation you deserve. Call right away to schedule a private consultation.