Blind Spot Truck Accidents
July 2, 2026 | Truck Accidents
Truck accidents in Harrisburg, PA, can result from many causes. Although truck drivers must undergo specialized training and licensing, they can still make mistakes, such as speeding and running red lights to reach their destinations more quickly. Trucks are also more prone to mechanical failures than passenger cars.
Blind spot truck accidents present particularly complex legal issues. Crash victims injured by truck drivers changing lanes can suffer serious or even fatal injuries. However, the trucking company’s insurer may try to shift some or all the blame to the other driver for contributing to the crash’s cause.
Where Are A Truck’s Blind Spots?
Semi-trucks and single-unit trucks, also called box trucks, have four large blind spots. The trailer or cargo container blocks the truck driver’s view behind the vehicle. The driver also has no direct view down the sides of their trailer or cargo box. Finally, unlike most passenger automobiles, the cab blocks the area in front of the truck.
The size of these blind spots will vary based on the truck’s length and equipment. Generally, the side mirrors allow truck drivers to see vehicles more than 30 feet behind the truck. Drivers can also use their mirrors to see vehicles that are even with the back of the trailer. This visual space stretches one lane to the left and two lanes to the right.
Conversely, vehicles in the same lane behind the trailer are not visible. Likewise, drivers in an adjacent lane next to the trailer might not be visible to the driver. People directly in front of the truck may be obscured by the truck’s engine compartment and hood.
How Do Harrisburg Blind Spot Truck Accidents Happen?
The cause of blind spot accidents depends on the victim’s location. For example, truck drivers can cause pedestrian accidents due to the large blind spot directly in front of their trucks.
Nevertheless, the most common blind-spot accident occurs when truck drivers sideswipe vehicles in adjacent lanes. The following careless acts can trigger this type of collision:
Passing Unsafely
Many blind-spot accidents occur when a truck passes a vehicle or vice versa. The truck driver may lose sight of an automobile in its blind spot while passing. Alternatively, an automobile driver might pause in the truck’s blind spot while overtaking it. Finally, a driver might try to pass a truck on the right.
In any of these scenarios, the truck driver may hit the automobile when it changes lanes.
Changing Lanes Unsafely
Blind-spot accidents can also occur when truck or automobile drivers change lanes unsafely, resulting in a side-impact collision. Similarly, a truck driver who loses track of the cars around their vehicle can cut off others, leading to a rear-end collision.
Distracted, Inattentive, Or Fatigued Driving
Truck drivers log long hours on the road. They can become tired, distracted, or lose focus. As a result, they may skip steps, like checking their mirrors before changing lanes. They may also check their mirrors but fail to register the vehicle next to them due to inattention or distractions.
Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates For A Free Consultation With A Harrisburg Truck Accident Lawyer
Blind spot truck accidents often leave victims facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and a worsened quality of life. If you were hurt because a truck driver failed to check their blind spots before changing lanes or merging, you should not have to bear the financial burden of someone else’s negligence.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our Harrisburg truck accident lawyers understand the unique challenges these cases present. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We can explore your legal options and answer any questions you may have.
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