Truck Blind Spot Accidents
Trucks have large blind spots, which FMCSA calls No-Zones: directly in front, directly behind, and along both sides, especially the right. Blind spots do not excuse a crash. Truck drivers must check their mirrors and make sure a lane is clear before changing lanes, merging or turning.
Where are a truck's blind spots?
A tractor-trailer driver sits high up and cannot see low vehicles close to the cab. FMCSA's safety guidance identifies four main No-Zones: in front of the cab, behind the trailer, and alongside the truck on both sides, with the right side the largest. If you cannot see the driver in the truck's mirror, the driver probably cannot see you.
Is the truck driver liable if I was in the blind spot?
Usually, yes. Knowing where the blind spots are is part of commercial driver training, and drivers must use their mirrors and signal before moving over. A lane-change crash with a vehicle beside the trailer is typically the truck driver's fault. Mirrors that are missing, broken or badly adjusted add liability for the carrier (49 CFR 393.80).
What evidence helps in a blind-spot case?
- Dashcam and side-camera footage, which many fleets now record.
- Lane-departure and blind-spot warning logs from the truck's safety systems.
- The truck's signal and steering data around the time of the crash.
- Witness statements about whether the truck signalled.
- Mirror condition and the driver's training records.
Frequently asked questions
Where are a truck's blind spots?
Directly in front of the cab, directly behind the trailer, and along both sides, with the right side the largest. FMCSA calls these areas No-Zones.
If I was in a truck's blind spot, is the crash my fault?
Not usually. Truck drivers must check their mirrors and make sure the lane is clear before moving over. Being in a blind spot is rarely enough on its own to make you at fault.
Do trucks have blind-spot cameras?
Many modern fleets use side cameras and blind-spot sensors, but they are not universally required. If the truck had them, their recordings and logs are important evidence.
What should I do after a truck merged into my car?
Get medical care, photograph the scene and both vehicles, note the truck's company name and USDOT number, and get witness details. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer before getting advice.
Can I claim if the truck driver says they signalled?
Yes. Signalling does not give a driver the right to move into an occupied lane. The question is whether the driver checked that the lane was clear.