Blind-Spot Truck Accidents in Katy

Each day, residents, visitors, and businesses in Katy rely on the delivery of products and groceries they need. Most of these items are brought to the region by commercial trucks, and these trucks are also used by local businesses to ship their wares to other cities or ports. While commercial truck traffic is necessary on local roadways, it is also dangerous. One of the most dangerous places to be on the road is in the blind spot of a commercial truck, as the truck driver cannot see you there.

However, despite the language used by traffic control agencies, while drivers are encouraged to stay out of a truck’s “no zone,” truck drivers are legally required to take reasonable actions to avoid accidents in the vehicle’s blind spot. Failing to do so can make the trucking company liable for blind-spot truck accidents in Katy.

Truck Drivers Have a Legal Duty to Avoid Blind-Spot Accidents

Every driver on Katy’s public roads has a legal duty to prevent accidents by obeying traffic laws, ensuring their vehicle is properly maintained and insured, and other actions meant to avoid causing harm to others. Because commercial trucks are many times larger than other vehicles on the road and are used for commercial purposes, the trucking industry and the drivers it employs have an even greater duty of care, which is enforced through numerous trucking regulations designed to mitigate the vehicle’s risks.

One of the many size-related risks of commercial trucks is the tremendous blind spots on all sides of the vehicle, where the driver is not able to use their mirrors to see vehicles traveling in proximity to them. However, because they cannot see other vehicles in areas close to the truck, truck drivers are required to ensure those blind spot areas are clear before changing lanes or turning. Some of the reasonable actions trucking companies or owner-operator truck drivers can take to avoid this type of accident include adjusting mirrors, installing cameras and other technology, and avoiding other issues that increase the likelihood of blind-spot errors, such as driver fatigue or distracted driving.

The Injury Claims Process

When a blind-spot truck accident occurs in Katy that results in an injury to an occupant of another vehicle, that occupant can usually seek compensation for the costs and psychological impacts through a claim against the liability insurance coverage held by the trucking company. Once the insurance company has had the chance to review the claim, they can choose to settle it or deny it. If they fail to settle the claim, the injured party can file a lawsuit and ask a judge or jury to determine liability in the case and how much compensation is owed.

This process can be challenging for injured claimants to handle on their own. An experienced truck accident lawyer can provide legal services to assist the claimant as they navigate the process, including handling communication with the insurance company, gathering evidence, and even taking the case to court if necessary.

Schechter, Shaffer and Harris Handles Claims Involving Blind-Spot Truck Accidents in Katy

If you were injured in a blind-spot truck accident in Katy, it is important to understand your right to compensation and the process that you can use to seek it. Let our legal team answer the questions you have about your case and tell you about the personal injury services we can provide. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.