Blind spots are a hidden danger that many drivers underestimate—especially when it comes to large commercial trucks. Because of their size and length, semi-trucks and 18-wheelers have massive areas around them where visibility is completely blocked. When truck drivers fail to check these blind spots properly, it can lead to serious and even fatal accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a blind spot truck accident, it’s critical to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Houston who understands how these crashes happen, who may be responsible, and how to prove negligence in a court of law.
In this article, we’ll explain what blind spots are, how these accidents occur, and how an experienced attorney can help you recover full compensation for your injuries and losses.
What Are Blind Spots on a Truck?
A blind spot, also known as a "no-zone," is an area around a vehicle where the driver cannot see other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects through mirrors or direct line of sight. On an average passenger car, blind spots are small. On a large truck, they are dangerously wide.
A typical commercial truck has four main blind spots:
- Front blind spot: Directly in front of the cab, especially if the vehicle is low
- Rear blind spot: Behind the trailer, where mirrors can’t reach
- Left-side blind spot: Along the side of the cab extending backward
- Right-side blind spot: The largest one, extending across multiple lanes
Because of these blind spots, trucks are especially dangerous when:
- Changing lanes
- Merging into traffic
- Making wide turns
- Backing up
- Stopping suddenly
An experienced truck accident lawyer in Houston will know how to investigate a blind spot crash and determine if the truck driver failed to follow safety protocol.
Common Blind Spot Accident Scenarios
Blind spot accidents can happen quickly and often without warning. Here are some of the most common situations:
1. Unsafe Lane Changes
A truck driver changes lanes without noticing a smaller vehicle in the adjacent lane. This often leads to sideswiping or forcing the other driver off the road.
2. Merging Without Clearance
Trucks merging onto highways may fail to account for vehicles already in the next lane, causing direct impacts or forcing evasive action.
3. Right-Turn Accidents
A truck makes a wide right turn, trapping or colliding with a vehicle in the right-side blind spot—often at intersections or exits.
4. Backing Up Without Visibility
Backing accidents are common in parking lots, docks, or narrow urban streets where visibility is limited and spotters are not used.
5. Forcing Cars Under the Trailer
In worst-case scenarios, a truck sideswipes a car and pulls it under the trailer in what’s called an underride accident, often resulting in fatalities.
A skilled truck accident lawyer in Houston will examine the crash scene, video footage, and damage patterns to determine how the blind spot contributed to the crash—and who is legally responsible.
Why Blind Spot Accidents Are Often the Truck Driver’s Fault
Truck drivers are trained to be aware of their no-zones. They’re taught to:
- Use their mirrors frequently
- Check all blind spots before changing lanes
- Use turn signals well in advance
- Rely on spotters when backing up
- Avoid right turns with vehicles nearby
When a truck driver fails to do these things, and a blind spot crash occurs, that’s clear negligence.
Additionally, if the trucking company failed to train the driver properly or ignored repeated safety violations, they may also be held liable for the crash.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, multiple parties could be responsible:
- Truck driver – For failing to check blind spots or use proper signals
- Trucking company – For poor training, unsafe schedules, or negligent hiring
- Maintenance providers – If faulty mirrors or equipment limited visibility
- Truck manufacturer – If blind spot warning systems failed
- Other drivers – In cases of sudden lane changes or improper positioning
Your truck accident lawyer in Houston will perform a thorough investigation to identify every responsible party—and pursue compensation from all available insurance policies.
What Kind of Evidence Helps Prove Blind Spot Negligence?
Proving fault in a blind spot accident takes experience, timing, and strong evidence. Your lawyer may collect:
- Dashcam or traffic camera footage showing the truck’s movement
- Black box data (speed, brake use, signal activation)
- Witness statements from other drivers or pedestrians
- Photos of vehicle damage and lane positions
- Truck driver logs and GPS records
- Maintenance records to confirm equipment functionality
- Expert testimony from accident reconstruction specialists
This evidence can demonstrate whether the truck driver followed safety standards—and whether the accident could have been prevented.
What Damages Can You Recover?
If you’ve been hurt in a blind spot truck accident, your attorney will help you pursue full compensation, which may include:
- Medical bills (emergency care, surgeries, rehab)
- Lost income from missed work
- Reduced future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and psychological distress
- Long-term disability or disfigurement
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Wrongful death compensation (if a loved one was lost)
A skilled truck accident lawyer in Houston will calculate the true impact of the crash on your life and push for the maximum compensation possible—either through negotiation or at trial.
Real Case Example: Houston Blind Spot Collision
Case: A Houston woman was driving in the center lane of I-610 when a semi-truck drifted into her lane without signaling. Her car was pinned against the guardrail and totaled. She suffered a fractured pelvis and a mild traumatic brain injury.
What the Lawyer Found:
- The truck’s dashcam showed the driver did not use mirrors before merging
- GPS records revealed the driver had been on the road for over 12 hours
- Witnesses confirmed the car was already in the lane when the truck moved
- The trucking company had no recent training or safety review on blind spot protocols
Outcome:
The case settled for $890,000, covering her medical costs, future care, lost wages, and emotional damages.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Blind Spot Accident
Blind spot truck accidents are often disputed by trucking companies. They may claim:
- “You were in the wrong place”
- “You shouldn’t have been passing”
- “We didn’t see your vehicle”
- “There was no contact” (in near-miss cases)
Without proper legal representation, it’s easy to be blamed or undercompensated. That’s why it’s essential to hire a lawyer who:
- Knows federal and Texas trucking laws
- Has experience handling blind spot cases
- Can uncover critical evidence fast
- Is prepared to take the case to trial if needed
- Offers a free consultation and works on contingency
A trusted truck accident lawyer in Houston will fight to protect your rights, prove the driver’s negligence, and hold the trucking company accountable.
Final Thoughts
Blind spot accidents with trucks are some of the most terrifying and serious types of crashes on the road. They often happen in seconds—and leave behind a trail of injuries, confusion, and financial stress.
You don’t have to deal with it alone.
By working with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Houston for blind spot cases, you gain an advocate who understands the law, the trucking industry, and the tactics insurers use to avoid paying what victims truly deserve.