Understanding Truck Blind Spots in Tampa

Accidents involving blind spots are a regular occurrence in Florida. A significant number of these blind spot accidents involve semi and large transport trucks. A blind spot accident generally occurs when one vehicle is traveling in an area where the other vehicle cannot see them. When they involve semi trucks or large transport trucks, the accident can be severe. This is why passing one on I-75, I-95, or another highway can cause anxiety in drivers. But there are things drivers can do to keep themselves safe when meeting a truck on the roads, and the most important one is being aware of the truck’s blind spots.

The biggest blind spot for semi and transport trucks is in the back. Given the sheer size of a truck, it is impossible for the driver to have a complete view of their surroundings. Many drivers know that if they are right behind a truck, the driver will not be able to see them. The danger here is that if the truck comes to a sudden stop, the smaller vehicle might not be able to stop in time and they could crash into the truck. In the worst cases, they could even be forced under the truck, a situation that results in death for most drivers who find themselves in this situation.

But while truck drivers cannot see the area directly behind them, it is also hard for them to see further back. This blind spot can extend up to 200 feet, which is longer than the average space of two car lengths (the space cars are usually recommended to leave between them and other cars).

The next largest blind spot for truck drivers is along either of their sides. Even with the large side mirrors, truck drivers depend on, there is still a large area along the sides that they simply cannot see. The general rule of thumb is that if drivers cannot see the truck driver’s face in the mirror, they also cannot see the driver. Drivers are advised to simply avoid traveling along the sides of a truck whenever possible.

One blind spot that many drivers do not even consider is the front of trucks. While truck drivers can see distances ahead of them, they cannot see cars directly in front of them as well. This is due to the fact that truck drivers sit so much higher than other vehicles, and this limits the view of the road directly in front of their truck. This blind spot is usually about 20 feet, but because trucks also take much longer to brake and slow down, drivers are advised to stay even further away from the front of any truck.

It is easy to see why semi and transport trucks make so many drivers nervous. But understanding how to avoid these dangers will help when you encounter them on the road. The best thing drivers can do to keep themselves safe around semi and transport trucks is to simply give them a lot of room, on all sides, so they are not caught in a truck’s blind spots. If you need help understanding truck blind spots in Tampa, speak to a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer that can answer your questions.