Have you ever gotten angry on the highway when someone suddenly changes lanes directly in front of you, nearly causing an accident? That can be a very scary moment. But don’t be too angry. The person who cut you off may not be a careless driver. They simply may not have seen you if you were driving in their “blind spot.”
Part of being a safe driver is knowing where a driver’s blind spot is and being careful to avoid it if possible. In this article, you will learn where the most dangerous blind spots are for motor vehicles and for commercial trucks. If you take just a few minutes to read on, you will be more conscious of where other drivers’ blind spots are when you drive. Avoiding other drivers’ blind spots will not guarantee an accident-free journey on the highway, but it will greatly increase your visibility on the road and the likelihood that you will avoid a dangerous blind spot accident.
If you were involved in a blind spot accident and were injured as a result, call the Kansas City car accident attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC. We have a combined 50 years of experience handling motor vehicle accidents and obtaining maximum compensation for our clients. We can help you, too.
What Is a Blind Spot Accident?
A blind spot accident is an accident that occurs when one driver changes lanes or makes a turn and hits another vehicle that they could not see naturally or by using their rear or side view mirrors. Blind spot accidents usually occur on multi-lane highways, where two vehicles can ride in adjacent lanes with one vehicle at or near the side-rear or directly behind the other vehicle. When the driver suddenly turns or changes lanes, it may be too late for the other driver to react or there may be no place for the other driver to move to avoid striking the other vehicle.
Blind spot accidents often result in damage to both vehicles. Often, however, the second driver may swerve to avoid hitting the first vehicle but may strike another vehicle in the process. In a split second, a chain reaction can occur, and a simple lane change turns into a multi-car pile-up, with unnecessary injuries or fatalities.
Where Are the Common Blind Spots on a Vehicle?
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than 800,000 blind spot accidents each year in the United States. These crashes result in more than 300 fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries.
Many of these accidents could be avoided if drivers are simply more aware of blind spot driving and where common blind spots are located on different vehicles. One study on public awareness of blind spots revealed that:
- Only 4% of drivers could identify all the blind spots in a truck;
- As much as 81% of drivers could name only one blind spot; and
- Only 20-24% of people understand that truck drivers can’t see them when they are driving in a truck’s blind spot.
Another study revealed that more than 95% of U.S. motorists (fewer than 1 out of every 20 adults in the United States) don’t understand that semi-tractor-trailers have blind spots. Even fewer understand that blind spots in cars are different than blind spots in trucks. Here is a common rule of thumb: “The bigger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spot.”
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Where Are the Blind Spots in Large Trucks?
In a study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, researchers identified the four zones surrounding a large truck that present the most dangerous blind spots for truck drivers. They lie forward, rearward, and to the right of the truck. These prioritized zones are depicted in the diagram below, with the most dangerous zone represented at Zone 1.
https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/83927/102737.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- Zone 1 (highest priority). The area located immediately to the right of the truck cab and extending five (5) meters from the front bumper is the most common location for contact with another vehicle when a truck initiates a right-side lane change or merges to the adjacent lane. This is the area with the least visibility because a small vehicle in this location could be completely obstructed from the driver’s direct view and not visible with door-mounted side-view mirrors. It is also the area where drivers took the longest to detect a lane-change conflict with another vehicle.
- Zone 2 (second highest priority). The next most dangerous area is immediately to the right of the truck, extending to the far side of the adjacent right lane, and running the length of the truck from five (5) meters from the front bumper to a line five (5) meters beyond the rear of the trailer. Right-side lane change accidents are 4.5 times more likely than left-side crashes. Because vehicles riding in Zone 2 may be only partially visible in the door-mounted side-view mirrors, mirrors on the right side are less effective than the mirrors on the left side in terms of response time.
- Zone 3 (third highest priority). “Backing-up crashes” are the most common type of truck-initiated crashes. These occur in the area immediately behind the trailer. There are approximately 13 on-road and 66 off-road “back-up” fatalities each year. Because back-up crashes usually occur at slow speeds, most of these fatalities involve non-motorist pedestrians.
- Zone 4 (fourth highest priority). The area located five (5) meters in front of the front bumper of the truck, and to the right-front of the truck cab, covering the width of the truck lane across the entire right adjacent lane is the fourth most dangerous zone. This area usually involves start-up and right-turn crashes, which account for 40 to 60 on-road pedestrian or cyclist fatalities in the United States each year. Very few trucks have mirrors covering this zone.
Where Are the Blind Spots in Cars?
Blind spots in cars are similar to the zones described for trucks. Although most drivers of cars and other motor vehicles have greater visibility at the rear of the vehicle with the rear-view mirror, side mirrors do not provide full visibility. Drivers still have some obstructed vision due to the four columns of the vehicle supporting the roof. These blind spots can only be viewed by rotating the head 180 degrees to the left and right. Because many drivers fail to rotate to check blind spots before maneuvering, these remain dangerous blind spot areas in cars and other motor vehicles. Additionally, each driver will have a different capacity to rotate their head.
Blind spots in motor vehicles also vary by the size of the car. Large-scale and higher cars, small trucks, and SUVs have extended blind spots because of the size and structure of the vehicles. Because drivers are seated further away from the front of the vehicle and are higher in the air, they cannot see the ground for ten to twenty feet directly in front of the vehicle. This is sufficient room for a dozen preschoolers to pass in front of the vehicle without being seen by the driver.
Which Vehicles Have the Best Blind Spot Warning System?
Fortunately, the NHTSA and others in the industry continue to research ways to reduce blind spot accidents, and car manufacturers invest greater resources every year for improving blind spot and lane change warning systems in newer vehicles.
These commonly include ultrasound, radar, and camera technologies that visually and audibly warn drivers of danger when changing lanes or merging into traffic.
Some insurance companies even offer rate discounts to drivers who install blind spot monitoring devices in their vehicles.
According to Straits Research, the global market for blind spot monitoring systems was valued at $16.55 billion in 2024, and is expected to grow to $18.35 billion in 2025. It is anticipated that by the year 2033, the market for blind spot detection technology will reach $41.98 billion.
But drivers should not just rely on new technologies and the blind spot information systems in their vehicles. Every driver should take precautions to minimize the risk of being in a blind spot accident.
How Can I Avoid a Blind Spot Accident?
No driver can predict what another driver will do. And no current technology can completely eliminate the risk of a blind side accident. Therefore, every driver must take steps to reduce their risk of these crashes. The following steps may help to prevent blind spot accidents on the road, whether you are changing lanes or another vehicle near you is turning or maneuvering into your lane:
- Be aware of your own blind spots. Every vehicle’s blind spots are different. Know where the blind spots in your vehicle are and get accustomed to rotating your body or head to eliminate them when you drive.
- Use or install blind spot protection devices. If you have any kind of blind spot detection system in your vehicle, whether it is an audible beep, a neon indicator on your side mirror, or a visual camera system, learn how your system works and get in the habit of using it. Be sure your system functions correctly.
- Adjust and use your mirrors. Without blind spot information technology in your vehicle, your only protection is your vision. Maximize your visibility by adjusting and using your rear and side view mirrors, especially when turning or changing lanes. Know how to operate your side mirror controls so you can adjust the mirrors to suit your position when driving. Consider buying blind spot mirrors that expand the visibility of your standard mirrors.
- Always use your turn signals. Even though you may be aware of your blind spots, other drivers may not. Always use your turn signals to indicate your intention to turn or merge lanes. Pause for two seconds after using your indicator to allow time for other drivers to see them and react.
- Be conscious of the blind spots of other vehicles. Although you may not be turning or merging, other drivers may be. Always be conscious of other drivers’ blind spots and try to avoid them if possible. If you are passing a vehicle, then pass. Do not match speeds with a vehicle next to you. If you are not passing, stay well behind the vehicle in front of you, especially tractor trailers, which have no direct rear view. Allow yourself time to react to other vehicles.
- Take a driving instruction course. Even if you have been driving for a long time, it is good to refresh your skills by enrolling in a driving course. You will renew your awareness of dangerous situations that arise on the road. You may not only break bad habits to which you have become accustomed when behind the wheel, but you will be reminded of driving laws and best practices for safe driving.
Should I Contact a Car Accident Attorney If I Am Involved in a Blind Spot Accident?
Yes. There are two important things to remember after any accident:
- Always seek medical attention. Even if you think you are not injured, always accept or seek medical attention. Often, serious injuries may not reveal themselves for hours or even days after your accident.
- Always contact an experienced car accident lawyer. If you are in any kind of accident, especially if you have sustained injuries, you should contact an experienced car crash attorney. Even if you are not injured, you may have a claim to recover any damage to your vehicle or other property.
The car accident attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC, have successfully represented car accident victims in Kansas and Missouri and have helped their clients recover maximum compensation for their injuries. If you have experienced a blind spot crash, contact Foster Wallace for a free initial consultation to review your case. You may be entitled to compensation from the driver who was at fault. We are ready to help.
