Truck Accidents Caused by Blind Spots

Florida highways are filled with trucks delivering goods across the state, which means the risk of blind spot collisions is always present. Whether it’s a quick lane change or a moment of distraction, truck blind spot accidents in Florida are more common than most people think. And when they happen, the aftermath can be overwhelming—from medical bills to lost wages and long-term recovery.

Unlike crashes involving smaller passenger vehicles, truck accidents often cause more severe injuries and extensive vehicle damage. That’s because of the sheer weight and speed of these large vehicles.

What’s more, the complexity of these accidents often makes it harder to determine fault. Was the truck driver negligent, or did the car driver make an unsafe move into a no-zone? Understanding the risks can help drivers make smarter decisions on the road.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, it’s critical to avoid lingering in blind spots, especially along the sides and rear of the vehicle. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t realize just how large these no-zones are until it’s too late

The No-Zones of Semi-Trucks

When you’re sharing the road with an 18-wheeler, understanding the “no-zones” of semi-trucks could be the difference between a normal drive and a devastating crash. These no-zones are the truck’s blind spots—areas around the truck where the driver simply can’t see other vehicles. And because of the truck’s height, length, and design, these blind spots are a lot bigger than most people realize.

There are four major no-zones to be aware of.

The front no-zone exists because large trucks need more time to stop than smaller vehicles. If you’re directly in front of a truck and have to brake suddenly, the driver may not have enough time to slow down. That can lead to serious rear-end crashes, especially on highways where speeds are high and reaction times are short.

The rear no-zone is equally dangerous. Drivers often don’t realize that a truck driver cannot see them if they’re tailgating. Following too closely puts you at risk of sliding underneath the truck during a sudden stop—a type of collision that often causes catastrophic injuries.

Then there are the lateral no-zones, which run along both sides of the truck. The blind spot on the right side is particularly large—so much so that a vehicle two lanes over may still be invisible to the truck driver. The left side is slightly better, but visibility is still limited.

A good rule of thumb is: if you can’t see the driver’s face in their side mirror, they can’t see you either.

How Truck Blind-Spot Accidents Happen

Blind-spot truck accidents in Florida often happen when one simple maneuver—like a lane change or a merge—goes wrong. These crashes usually stem from limited visibility, meaning the truck driver can’t see a nearby vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian. And because of a truck’s massive size and weight, even a small mistake in a blind spot can lead to major damage.

Lane Change Accidents

One of the most common scenarios is a lane change accident. A truck driver may attempt to switch lanes without realizing that a smaller vehicle is traveling right beside them—especially on the truck’s right side, where the blind spot is largest. If the driver doesn’t spot the car in time, they may sideswipe it or push it off the road completely. These accidents happen fast and leave little time to react.

Merging Accidents

Merging accidents also happen frequently, particularly during high-traffic times like morning or evening commutes. When a truck is entering the highway or when another driver is merging near a truck’s blind spot, visibility issues increase the chances of collision. Drivers may think they’re safely out of the way, but if they’re in a no-zone, the trucker may never know they’re there.

Accidents Caused While Backing Up

Even reversing mishaps can lead to blind-spot accidents. When truck drivers back out of a loading zone or parking space, they can’t always see what’s behind them. Cars, pedestrians, and cyclists caught in these rear blind spots are at serious risk—especially if the driver is in a hurry or distracted.

Blind spot crashes often result in sideswipes, underride collisions, and severe property damage. Knowing how these accidents happen—and why they’re so dangerous—is an important step toward avoiding them.

And if you’ve already been involved in one, getting the right legal guidance from a skilled Florida personal injury lawyer who specializes in truck accident injury claims is key to protecting your rights and your recovery.

Liability For Truck Blind-Spot Accidents in Florida

When it comes to truck blind-spot accidents in Florida, liability often starts with the truck driver—but it doesn’t always end there. While drivers of smaller vehicles are encouraged to avoid lingering in a truck’s no-zones, the reality is that these blind spots are so large and unpredictable that avoiding them can be difficult, especially in busy Florida traffic.

At the end of the day, truckers are responsible for being aware of their surroundings and taking every possible step to prevent accidents.

Truck drivers may be held legally responsible for blind-spot accidents if they act carelessly or fail to follow safety procedures. Common examples of negligence include failing to check mirrors, making sudden lane changes, or driving without properly installed or adjusted mirrors.

A trucker can also be liable if they didn’t have the right qualifications, were driving while overly tired, or were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In short, if they failed to keep a proper lookout or ignored their responsibility to monitor blind spots, they may be at fault.

Trucking companies can also be liable—especially if the driver was on duty at the time of the crash. Under Florida law, employers are generally responsible for their employee’s actions while performing job-related tasks. If a company hired an unqualified driver, skipped safety training, or failed to equip the truck with necessary technology like blind-spot detection systems, they could share in the blame.

In some cases, the problem isn’t human error but equipment failure. If a crash happened because of faulty sensors, defective mirrors, or poor maintenance, the manufacturer or a third-party repair company might be liable. Because multiple parties could be involved, determining liability requires a detailed investigation to understand exactly what went wrong—and who should be held accountable.

Tips For Knowing If You Are In a Truck’s Blind-Spot

It’s not always easy to tell if you’re in a truck’s blind spot, especially when you’re navigating fast-moving Florida highways. But being aware of your position can make a huge difference when it comes to staying safe around tractor-trailers. Because of their massive size and limited visibility, commercial trucks have large areas—called “no-zones”—where smaller vehicles virtually disappear from the driver’s view.

Checking the Truck’s Side Mirrors: One of the easiest ways to tell if you’re in a truck’s blind spot is to check the mirrors. If you can’t see the truck’s side mirrors, the driver probably can’t see you either.

This rule applies whether you’re behind the truck, in front of it, or traveling alongside it. And if you’re passing a truck and can’t see the driver’s face in the mirror, it’s a good sign you’re still in a blind spot.

Maintain a Safe Distance: Another important tip is to keep a safe distance—both front and back. Trucks need much more room to slow down or stop than regular cars, and if you’re too close in either direction, the driver won’t be able to react in time.

Give Trucks Space for Wide Turns: Also, when trucks make wide turns—especially to the right—they need space that spans across multiple lanes. Staying on the right side of a turning truck puts you at risk of getting caught in a collision.

If you’re ever unsure whether you’re in a truck’s blind spot, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Either speed up to pass safely or fall back until you can clearly see the driver in their mirror. These simple awareness tips can help reduce your risk of a crash—but even if you were in a blind spot during a collision, that doesn’t automatically mean you’re at fault. Truck drivers still have a duty to drive responsibly and check their surroundings.

Skilled Truck Accident Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale

Large trucks pose a serious threat on Florida roads due to their massive size and weight—often 20 to 30 times heavier than passenger vehicles. A crash that might be minor between two cars can become deadly when a fully loaded 80,000-pound truck is involved. These vehicles take longer to stop, are harder to maneuver, and their blind spots and high centers of gravity increase the risk of serious accidents like rollovers or underride collisions.

At Schilling & Silvers Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we understand the unique dangers of truck accidents and how to handle these complex cases. Our Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorneys have the experience to investigate blind-spot crashes, prove liability, and hold negligent drivers or trucking companies accountable.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our team fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.