Blind Spots

Truck Accident Attorneys Representing Residents of Schaumburg and Wheaton

All drivers should be vigilant in checking their vehicle’s blind spots before changing lanes to avoid dangerous and even deadly accidents. This is especially true for truck drivers because their blind spots may be much longer and deeper than those for drivers of an average car. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an accident caused by a truck driver’s failure to check a blind spot, we can help. At Therman Law Offices, our dedicated Wheaton and Schaumburg truck accident lawyers can assess the details of your case and help you seek the compensation that you deserve.

Failing to Check Blind Spots May Cause a Devastating Accident

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there were 11,585 semi-truck (tractor-trailer) accidents in the state of Illinois in 2014, resulting in thousands of injuries and nearly 100 deaths. While there were many different causes for these truck accidents, a truck driver’s failure to check a blind spot played a role in some of them.

A blind spot refers to an area where the truck driver’s view is obstructed. Put another way, a blind spot is an area around the truck that cannot be directly observed by the driver through the rear view mirror or the side mirrors. Some blind spots are inherent due to the size and shape of the vehicle, while others may be created due to weather conditions, the windshield, the location of the mirrors, and other features of the truck.

All drivers should check their blind spots before changing lanes. Failing to check a truck’s blind spot may result in serious accidents and injuries. If you or someone you know has been injured in this type of accident, you may seek damages through a negligence claim. Negligence occurs when a person fails to use ordinary care behind the wheel, causing an injury or death to a victim. Ordinary care is defined as how a reasonably prudent person would act under the same or similar circumstances. For example, if a truck driver failed to check their blind spots and ended up causing an accident, that driver would likely be liable for the accident and any resulting harm. This is because a reasonably prudent truck driver would check their blind spots, understanding the danger associated with not doing so.

In some cases, an injured victim may also be able to hold a negligent truck driver’s employer accountable for the accident through the legal concept of vicarious liability. In order to do this in Illinois, you must be able to show that an employer-employee relationship existed and that the employee was on the job at the time of the accident. In other words, the employee must have been within the regular scope of their employment when the crash took place.

IDOT data also reveals that an accident involving a semi-truck is much more likely to result in incapacitating injuries. These injuries may often be extremely costly to treat. This is why Illinois law allows victims of truck accidents to seek compensation for medical expenses, medication expenses, surgery costs, property damage, pain and suffering, lost income, rehabilitation expenses, and any other costs associated with the accident.

Contact a Wheaton or Schaumburg Attorney Following a Truck Crash

Unfortunately, many truck accidents in Illinois and across the United States are caused by a truck driver’s failure to check a blind spot. When this happens, the resulting accidents and injuries may be devastating for everyone involved. If you or your loved one is injured in an accident involving a truck driver’s failure to check blind spots, you should reach out to a diligent attorney in Schaumburg or Wheaton who can help you navigate your case. We also represent people in Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Bensenville, Wood Dale, Bloomingdale, and Roselle, among other communities. For a free consultation with a motor vehicle collision lawyer, call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.