Daytona Beach sees all types of car and truck accidents. Unfortunately, collisions, fender benders, and serious accidents are regular occurrences on roadways in the area.
One type of collision that isn’t discussed as much as others are blind-spot collisions. If you are involved in this type of accident, you have rights. One of these rights is to get in touch with our Daytona Beach injury lawyers to discuss your case. At Zimmet & Zimmet, we have years of experience representing individuals just like you. Keep reading to learn more about these accidents and the legal options you have if you are injured when they occur.
How Do Blind Spot Collisions Occur?
In a blind spot accident, a driver doesn’t expect a person or another vehicle to be in their way. They simply don’t see them because their field of vision is usually blocked by part of their own vehicle.
It could be blocked because of a pillar by the windshield, a pillar between the back and front door, or even a rear pillar. The fact is, there are blind spots everywhere in some vehicles, including at the rear and front ends. They can also be caused by height. When you drive a higher vehicle, you will have bigger blind spots on each side. Even a driver’s height can cause larger blind spots. A taller driver may have difficulty seeing around certain parts of a vehicle, while drivers who are shorter may have a hard time seeing areas that are easily seen by taller drivers.
Types of Collisions Resulting from Blind Spots
Each year in the United States, over 800,000 crashes caused by blind spots occur. These resulted in over 300 fatalities. In most cases, the accidents result from someone trying to turn left or changing lanes.
Many accidents also occur when a driver is backing up, and their vehicle collides with the side of another car, a pedestrian, stationary object, or bicyclist. Some of the other types of accidents caused by blind spots include:
- Drivers that drift out of their lane
- Merging on a highway from an on-ramp
- Driving in another vehicle’s blind spot
- Leaving the highway late and not using an off-ramp properly
How to Prevent Being Involved in a Blind Spot Accident
As a driver, you can take steps to avoid being involved in a blind spot accident. One way to do this is by engaging in defensive driving tactics. This means that your mirrors are adjusted properly for your height and that you can see all around your vehicle.
You have likely seen various truck drivers with convex mirrors. There is an important purpose for these. They offer the driver a much wider field of vision around their vehicle. You can find other types of blind spot mirrors, as well, that are smaller than these.
It’s also smart to look over your shoulder before you change lanes. Doing this will be much safer than what any mirror offers. You should always remain aware. Staying aware means that you will know if another vehicle has moved into a blind spot that you have. All you must do is to slow down a bit to prevent the possibility of an accident. After you do this, the driver that was in your blind spot will likely move out of it, preventing the hazard and the likelihood of an accident.
Utilize Modern Technology
You can utilize the electronic warning systems that are built into many vehicles today that warn you when someone moves into your blind spot. Some come standard in vehicles, while others are optional.
When someone moves into your blind-spot with this technology, a light will illuminate to let you know. If the driver of a vehicle with these sensors begins to change lanes or if they drift to another lane where there is a vehicle, the light will probably start to blink. Some systems will also provide you with an audible warning. This type of technology is created mainly for highway use rather than city streets. However, these systems may not be able to detect smaller vehicles like motorcycles or objects that are a similar size.
When you are injured in an accident with a driver who did not check their blind spot before moving, it’s important to contact emergency services right away. Documenting the accident, what happened, and your injuries are imperative to protect your right to compensation.
You should also contact our Daytona Beach injury lawyers at Zimmet&Zimmet. We can provide the legal services you want and need to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with us right away after an accident to protect your rights and give us the best chance to build your case.
