Posted in Personal Injury,Truck Wreck on July 21, 2017
A 21-year-old woman from Adams, Tennessee, was killed on Tuesday night when her vehicle collided with a semi-truck in the westbound lanes of Interstate 24 in Montgomery County.
Per a report by Clarksville Now, the accident happened near mile marker 16 at around 10:30 p.m. when the victim attempted to pass the truck at a high rate of speed after the truck began to slow down in response to traffic in front of it.
However, an investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol revealed that she failed to brake in time when her vehicle was near the truck, causing it to go underneath the truck.
The driver of the truck wasn’t hurt during the accident. In addition, the THP also found that traffic was dense and slow-moving at the time of the crash.
The Leaf-Chronicle reports that both drivers were wearing their seat belts, and no charges are expected to be filed regarding the accident.
What Are Truck “No-Zones?”
Blind spots are dangerous for the drivers of any vehicles, but they’re especially dangerous for truck drivers and the drivers of vehicles who are near them. All vehicles have blind spots, but they’re much larger on big trucks, including semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and utility trucks. Knowing where truck no-zones are can help you reduce your risk of an accident.
The three biggest no-zones on big trucks are:
Truck drivers often can’t see vehicles, pedestrians, and other objects that are directly in front of their vehicles. That’s because their point of view is significantly higher than the roadway and because their truck engine bays are much larger than those on standard passenger vehicles. In addition to being major blind spots, the area directly in front of trucks is also dangerous due to truck stopping distance. When vehicles slow down or stop, trucks may not be able to slow down in time to avoid serious collisions.
Blind spots are common on the sides of most vehicles, but they’re much larger and more prominent on big trucks. Many trucks have warning signs indicating the presence of these no-zones, including signs that say truck drivers can’t see drivers if drivers can’t see their mirrors. Vehicles that travel in the left or right no-zone of a big truck can be sideswiped if the truck driver needs to change lanes, accidentally drifts into another lane, or begins to make a turn.
Just as not being able to see a truck’s mirrors on its left or right side indicate a no-zone, not being able to see them directly behind a truck also means a driver is in a no-zone. The no-zones on big trucks can vary, as trucks that aren’t carrying trailers often have good visibility behind them with the use of mirrors. However, trucks that are carrying large trailers or other large cargo may have limited to no visibility up to 200 feet behind them.
It’s important to remember that truck drivers must rely on all visual information, including mirrors, head checks, and onboard cameras to determine whether other vehicles are near them or in their path. However, they can’t always process all that information in a short amount of time, and some vehicles may remain in their blind spots despite their best efforts to check them.
As a driver, your best option for staying safe when driving near big trucks is to avoid distractions, reduce your speed, and always stay out of their no-zones. If you must drive near a tractor-trailer or semi-truck and can’t pass, try to keep your vehicle within sight of the truck driver’s mirrors so that he knows where you are in case he needs to switch lanes or turn.
If you or someone you know was hurt in a truck accident that was caused by a negligent driver, trucking company, or truck owner, you may be eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. To find out the Clarksville truck accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law can help, just dial (931) 274-7788 or complete a free online consultation form.
