As a driver, you’re taught to take a quick look over your shoulder before changing lanes because there are blind spots that block your view of other motorists. In order to avoid an accident with a vehicle that is in your blind spot, you do a quick head check out the side or back window before proceeding.
For truckers, these blind spots are bigger and sometimes called “No Zones.” Truckers have areas on either side of their trucks, in front of their trucks, and behind their trucks that they just can’t see with the help of their mirrors. This puts other drivers at risk of being hurt in a truck crash if they’re traveling in a truck’s blind spots and the truck changes lanes, makes a turn, or stops short.
What to Do If You’re Hurt in a Blind Spot Crash
A truck is usually much bigger and heavier than your vehicle. Consequently, a significant amount of damage can be done in a collision that could result in a serious injury, including a brain injury, spinal cord injury, broken bone, amputation, internal injury, or even death.
If you’re physically able to do so, taking action immediately following an accident with a truck can help protect your right to a fair recovery. Specifically, you should:
- Contact the police. Don’t move your vehicle before you call the police. The position of the vehicles may be important to the investigation.
- Take pictures. Take pictures before the vehicles are moved and of the specific damage done to the vehicles. This could be important in proving that the crash was the result of a trucker’s blind spot.
- Accept medical help. Following an accident, you may have immediate injuries or those that aren’t yet apparent. Either way, it is important to get medical attention to prevent your injuries from worsening and to have a record of your medical treatment for any future injury claim.
- Find out how to contact accident witnesses. Anyone who saw the accident happen may be an important witness in your legal case. It can be hard to track down witnesses later, so it is important to get full names, phone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses before you leave the accident scene.
Don’t worry, however, if you are physically unable to follow through on these steps after a truck crash. Failure to take action won’t necessarily prevent you from collecting damages.
How to Protect Your Legal Recovery After an Accident
A detailed investigation into the cause of your accident must be done, so you can identify the right defendants and pursue a fair recovery from the responsible parties. An experienced attorney can do this investigation for you, negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf, and bring your claim to trial if necessary, so you can recover damages for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Out of pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
Contact our Fairfax Virginia Truck Accident Attorneys
A fair recovery should include compensation for all of the damages you have already suffered and those you are likely to suffer in the future because of your injuries.
This recovery will not be automatic even if the trucker was clearly at fault for hitting you while you were in his blind spot. Instead, you will have to prove what happened and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our experienced truck accident attorneys can help you with this process. To learn more about your rights, please contact us today for a free and confidential initial consultation at 877.652.1553.
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