Ohio Truck Accident Help
A Division of Ohio Truck Accident
Common Causes of Ohio Truck Accidents
Truck blind spot accidents, also known as “no-zone” collisions, are among the most dangerous types of truck crashes on Ohio roads. Because large commercial vehicles have massive blind spots on all sides, even a careful passenger car driver can be struck without warning.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck blind spot accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Our Ohio truck accident attorneys understand how to investigate these collisions and hold trucking companies accountable.
Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation.
A blind spot is any area around a vehicle that the driver cannot see directly through mirrors or windows. Large trucks have extensive blind spots, often called “no-zones,” that extend:
These blind spots are significantly larger than those in passenger cars. A truck driver can’t see certain areas around their rig, even with proper mirrors. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truckers to use additional caution because of these known visibility limitations.
Truck blind spot accidents often happen at highway speeds or in congested traffic, where reaction time is minimal. The combination of size, weight, and momentum means a single blind spot error can lead to catastrophic injuries.
According to FMCSA, over 400,000 truck accidents occur annually, and blind spot collisions are a significant contributor.
Truck blind spot crashes can happen in many situations. If you’ve experienced any of these common scenarios, contact Ohio Truck Accident Help for a free consultation.
The results can be devastating when a truck driver merges or changes lanes without confirming that the adjacent lane is clear. Even a gentle impact from an 80,000-pound truck can push a smaller car into guardrails or other vehicles.
Vehicles that follow too closely behind a truck may disappear into the rear blind spot. If the truck stops suddenly, the car may slide underneath the trailer, causing catastrophic or fatal injuries.
During wide right turns, trucks swing into adjacent lanes, sometimes crushing cars that have pulled up alongside. These “squeeze zone” accidents are particularly dangerous in urban intersections.
When traffic slows ahead of a truck, drivers relying only on mirrors may not see vehicles stopped in front of them, leading to rear-end collisions at high speeds.
Ohio truck drivers are legally required to monitor their blind spots diligently. Under FMCSA regulations and Ohio law, commercial drivers must:
Failing to uphold these responsibilities can constitute negligence, forming the basis for liability when an accident occurs.
Proving a truck driver failed to monitor blind spots requires strategic evidence collection. Our experienced truck accident lawyers will use every possible resource and approach when building a case.
We secure dashcam and surveillance video to determine whether the truck driver properly used signals, checked mirrors, or made unsafe maneuvers. This footage often provides real-time proof of negligence.
Our team obtains and analyzes the truck’s black box and GPS data to track speed, braking, and movement patterns. These digital records often reveal whether the trucker was operating recklessly in the moments before the crash.
We work with reconstruction experts who study skid marks, damage patterns, and vehicle positions to recreate the crash. Their analysis helps demonstrate exactly how the blind spot collision occurred—and who was at fault.
We interview eyewitnesses and bring in trucking safety experts who can testify about blind spot procedures and FMCSA compliance. Their statements can confirm that the driver failed to meet legal safety standards.
If you suspect a blind spot caused your crash, acting quickly is essential. If not preserved immediately, valuable evidence can be lost.
If you believe a truck’s blind spot caused your crash, collecting the proper evidence at the scene can make a significant difference in your case. Here are some key steps to preserve valuable information for your legal claim.
Start by taking clear photos of vehicle damage, the position of the vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and any traffic signs or signals nearby.
Documenting the scene from multiple angles helps accident reconstruction experts later determine how and where the collision occurred. Make sure to also write down or photograph the truck’s license plate number, DOT registration, and the company name displayed on the trailer or cab.
If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information. Their statements can provide vital third-party insight into what the truck driver did or didn’t do. If your car is equipped with a dashcam, save the footage immediately. You can also check nearby businesses or homes for external surveillance cameras that may have captured the crash.
After leaving the scene, contact an experienced Ohio truck accident attorney right away. We can cover any bases that you might have missed. We’ll also send formal legal requests and investigate independently to preserve key records such as the truck’s black box data, driver logbooks, and maintenance records, evidence that trucking companies might otherwise destroy or alter.
Acting quickly gives you the best chance at proving negligence and securing full compensation.
Because these accidents happen without warning, the resulting injuries are frequently severe. Common truck accident injuries include:
You may be entitled to significant compensation if you’ve suffered any of these or undergone surgery after a truck accident. To understand your legal options, contact us for a free case evaluation.
Ohio law allows truck accident victims to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. This can include:
Severe injuries often strengthen your truck accident claim because they demonstrate the full impact of the crash. Our attorneys will work to maximize every category of compensation.
Yes. Commercial truck drivers are legally responsible for checking their blind spots using mirrors, cameras, and proper maneuvers before turning or changing lanes. Just because you were in a blind spot doesn’t automatically mean you’re at fault. If the trucker failed to use caution or signal properly, they can still be held liable under Ohio negligence law.
Yes. Ohio follows modified comparative negligence. You can recover damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, your total award will be reduced by 20%.
A “no-zone” is a term used to describe the large blind spot areas around a commercial truck where the driver has limited or no visibility. These zones are located directly in front of, behind, and along both sides of the truck—especially the right side. Understanding these blind spots is key when proving liability in a “no-zone crash” claim.
Blind spot truck accidents can leave you with life-changing injuries and overwhelming expenses. At Ohio Truck Accident Help, we have the experience and resources to hold trucking companies accountable.