What is a Truck No-Zone? The Blind Spots That Lead to Deadly Crashes

Commercial truck accidents are among the most destructive crashes on North Dakota roads. A loaded tractor-trailer is heavier and far longer than a passenger vehicle, so it does damage at any speed. Drivers can reduce the risk by staying out of a truck’s “no-zones,” but most people have never been told where those blind spots actually are.

Wondering what your legal options are after a North Dakota truck accident? Let’s talk. Call Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers to set up a consultation with a truck accident attorney today.

What does a no-zone mean?

A truck no-zone is an area around a commercial truck where the driver has limited or no visibility. Driving in these areas may put you at risk of an accident if the truck driver changes lanes, turns, slows down, or speeds up without knowing that you are there.

Many drivers are familiar with the location of a standard passenger vehicle’s blind spots, but those blind spots aren’t the same as what a truck driver experiences. Tractor-trailers have much larger blind spots, thanks to their height, length, and trailer configuration. You may see that tractor-trailers have more mirrors to account for this; while mirrors can reduce blind spots, they don’t eliminate them entirely.

Where are a truck’s major blind spots?

A tractor-trailer has four primary no-zones. The first is the area directly in front of the truck. Because a truck’s hood extends in front of the cab and the driver sits high above the road, drivers directly in front of a truck may be difficult or impossible to see.

There are also blind spots along the driver’s side and the passenger’s side. Both of these blind spots are much larger than what you’d see on a smaller passenger vehicle. The blind spot on the passenger side is particularly dangerous, as it can extend across multiple lanes, not just the lane directly next to the truck.

The fourth blind spot is behind the truck, and it extends much farther back than most drivers expect. Trucks generally have no rearview mirror, so the driver depends on large side mirrors. Some tractors have cameras, but they do not capture everyone in the blind spot.

To make this even more complicated, what a driver can see changes with a truck’s direction or angle. As a truck turns, merges, and moves through traffic, its blind spots may also shift.

You may be able to protect yourself by remembering one basic rule. If you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, you should assume that they cannot see you. While this isn’t foolproof, it can help you avoid some dangerous situations.

How no-zone accidents commonly happen

A large share of truck crashes involve another vehicle sitting in a no-zone. When a driver is in a side no-zone and the truck changes lanes, the result is a sideswipe.

Accidents may also occur when a vehicle is in the truck’s passenger-side blind spot. If a truck makes a wide right turn, it may trap another vehicle or bicycle between them and the curb.

Some accidents involve vehicles in the rear no-zone. A driver following a truck too closely may be unable to react to changes in traffic. This puts drivers at risk of underride accidents, which are among the most dangerous truck collisions.

Accidents involving the front no-zone often occur when a vehicle swoops in front of a truck, assuming that the truck driver will notice them. But if they are too close to the front of the truck, they may be completely invisible to the truck driver. When the truck moves forward, it may directly strike the other vehicle.

Who may be liable for a blind-spot truck crash?

Liability may lie with multiple people. Generally, truck drivers are responsible for checking their mirrors, signaling, and confirming that a lane is clear before they move. If they engage in negligent conduct, they may be liable for subsequent accidents. Examples of negligent conduct include:

• Failing to check blind spots
• Making an unsafe lane change
• Turning without appropriate clearance
• Driving while distracted or fatigued
• Failing to use required safety equipment

Truck companies may be liable for their employees’ driving errors committed within the scope of employment. However, they may also be liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance. If the truck driver is an owner-operator, the driver or the driver’s business may be responsible.

Other possibly liable parties include maintenance contractors, cargo companies, and equipment manufacturers.

Can the other driver be blamed for staying in a no-zone?

Trucking companies may claim that an accident victim drove beside the truck too long, followed too closely, or tried to pass unsafely during a turn. In some cases, these claims are true; in others, they are simply a way for the company to try to avoid liability. Driving in a truck’s blind spot does not automatically make a driver responsible; the existence of no-zones doesn’t excuse a truck driver from using reasonable care.

North Dakota is a modified comparative fault state. If an injured driver is partly at fault—for lingering in a blind spot, for instance—their compensation is reduced by their share of the fault, and recovery is barred entirely once that share is as great as the combined fault of everyone else.

Injured in a truck accident? Call our team to discuss your next steps

If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Reach out to Larson Law Injury & Accident Lawyers. During your consultation, we’ll learn more about your accident and injuries. From there, we can help you decide whether to move forward with a claim. Schedule a consultation now by calling us or filling out our online contact form.