Driving always carries significant risk. Blind spots are one of the ever-present hazards. Most drivers are cautious enough to use their mirrors before changing lanes or turning, but even then, a car accident could still occur if the car gets into its blind spot.
In this type of accident, one may argue that the other motorist was at fault since he was better placed to see the other car. So, who is at fault in a blind spot accident?
Read this post to learn about fault in blind spot crashes and how a car accident attorney Anaheim expert can help you prove your case.
What Are Blind Spot Accidents?
A blind spot is a region you cannot see around your car when looking forward or through your rear-view or side mirrors.
Blind spot accidents often result from poor driver visibility because an object inside the vehicle obstructs the driver’s line of sight.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 840,000 blind spot crashes happen yearly in the US, resulting in about 300 fatalities.
You were likely involved in a blind spot accident if you crashed into another driver who was out of your line of sight.
Common Causes of Blind Spot Accidents
Blind spots can be fatal. A serious accident can occur if a driver cannot see surrounding vehicles or when changing lanes, turning, or backing up.
Everyone on the road, including cyclists, pedestrians, passengers, and motorcyclists, is a risk of blind spot accidents. Moreover, large vehicles like semi-trucks have bigger blind spots than small passenger cars.
Blind spot accidents can occur in different scenarios, including:
When reversing
California is still plagued by blind spot accidents even though most recent cars have backup cameras.
Drivers occasionally fail to look at their backup cameras. On other occasions, they do not use their rear-view mirrors to check for obstructions that cannot be seen through the backup camera.
Devastating car accidents can occur when drivers are reversing because blind spots make it impossible for them to see individuals or things directly behind the car.
When merging
It is never safe to merge into a highway or road. The driver should ensure the road is clear before completing the merging maneuver.
Ultimately, merging is the driver’s duty, even though surrounding cars should still provide incoming drivers a safe space to merge.
Drivers should only enter the road if it is safe to do so. Unfortunately, blind spots can make it challenging to observe oncoming traffic and obstruct the ability to merge.
Unsafe lane changes
Likewise, risky lane changes are among California’s most common causes of car accidents. Most lane change crashes occur because the blind spot obstructs the driver from seeing a car in the desired lane. A blind spot can hide a vehicle close behind the driver and cause a catastrophic lane change crash.
How You Can Avoid a Blind Spot Accident
You can install various auto safety devices on newer vehicles to alert you when a car or other object is in your blind spot.
But it is crucial to avoid being overly reliant on technology as it can make you let your guard down or get distracted when driving.
In addition to your car’s safety devices, you can do the following to prevent a blind spot accident:
- De-clutter your car mirrors. Do not place anything on them, especially unneeded headrests.
- Adjust the rear-view mirror, ensuring it is framing your back window.
- Install blind spot mirrors. These mirrors fit onto your existing side-view mirrors.
- Upgrade side-view mirrors or replace your side-view mirrors with convex mirrors to improve visibility.
- Perform the over-the-shoulder check to ensure nothing is in your blind spot before changing lanes or backing up.
- Watch out for other people’s blind spots and avoid them, especially when they are large trucks and SUVs.
Who’s At Fault in a Blind Spot Accident?
Every driver is responsible for checking their mirrors and looking at the vehicle’s sides. But generally, the driver who merged into the blind spot is often at fault for the collision.
Most state laws state that drivers should only change lanes once they are sure it is safe. A driver is said to be negligent if they hit a vehicle in their blind spot.
If you demonstrate that the other motorist was negligent, your personal injury claim will have a solid foundation.
You must establish negligence on the part of the other motorist and lack of right-of-way if you suffered injuries in a blind spot collision.
Simply stating that the other driver struck your blind spot is not often a reasonable argument in a personal injury case since the other party can claim that you could have maneuvered to look out for the oncoming car.
If you demonstrate that the other motorist merged into your car without using their turn signals, that driver will likely be at-fault for the accident.
However, it is a little bit more challenging to pinpoint who was at blame if you and the other motorist merged at the same time and collided.
However, determining fault becomes much more difficult if you and the other motorist merge simultaneously and crash. An inquiry may be necessary to find out who is at fault. Both of you may be found partially at fault.
A car accident attorney Anaheim may be able to assist you in compiling evidence to help establish liability for your blind spot accident.
What Are My Options After a Blind Spot Accident?
You could be entitled to compensation after being involved in a blind-spot collision.
That means that with the help of a knowledgeable attorney, you can file a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
You might need to make an extra claim with that party’s liability insurance if another party was partly responsible for the accident, such as a motorist who parked their car illegally or the trucking firm that hired a negligent driver.
Our partner lawyers are ready to support you throughout the legal procedure.
Damages Caused by a Blind Spot Accident
You should document the damages you incurred from the collision to back up your personal injury claim. Ensure the authorities write out an accident report and get a copy of it.
Other things to do after a blind spot accident include:
- Take pictures of the accident site and the damage to the vehicles
- Seek medical treatment immediately
- Keep copies of your medical bills
Take your car to a reputable auto repair shop and get a written repair quotation. You will need all these documents to support your claim and negotiate compensation with the car insurance provider.
Speak to a Car Accident Attorney Anaheim Expert Today!
If you were injured in a blind spot crash, consult a personal injury lawyer immediately.
We, Legal Giant, understand how difficult it is to find a good lawyer. We offer lawyer referral services and can connect you with a knowledgeable car accident attorney Anaheim to help with your personal injury claim.
Our partner attorneys work on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning you will only have to pay if they get you the compensation you deserve.
Contact us at (855) 740-5024 to schedule a free consultation.
