A Greenville Truck Accident Attorney Explains
Aside from the difficulties truck drivers experience maneuvering large vehicles hauling heavy loads, they also have to safely navigate the traffic around them. Another struggle they deal with is that they cannot see certain areas surrounding their tractor-trailers. These “blind spots” can prove deadly to drivers of smaller passenger vehicles if you are not careful. Trucks such as box trucks, semis, tractor-trailers and big rigs “have several large blind spots where a car or small vehicle will virtually “disappear” from a truck driver’s view,” according to Utah.gov. The four main areas that drivers should avoid include the front, rear, and sides of the tractor. Yes that means portions of the entire truck! And if you ever find yourself uncertain as to whether you are in a trucker’s blind spot, here is a tip to keep in mind. If you cannot see a truck driver’s face in the side mirrors, then they cannot see you. Trust me…you want them to see you or you may end up like a bug on their windshield. Let’s follow some simple rules to avoid being becoming a statistic in a truck wreck.
As mentioned, the front of a semi is no place for a driver. The area you want to avoid extends nearly 20 feet ahead of the truck and you may even want to travel further ahead just to be safe. You also don’t want to cut in front a truck as their stopping times are much longer than the average car, much like my mile time is probably much longer than the average mans’. The sides of the truck and the front part of the trailer are also no-zone areas. Because truckers generally won’t see a car that is driving to the side of them unless they are able to see them in their side mirrors, the operator of the passenger vehicle risks being sideswiped by the truck. It is best to assume that the driver does not see you when you are beside them or anywhere near the driver’s cab.
The rear of the truck is another area where it is difficult for the truck driver to see you. It is best that you travel at least 200 feet away from the back of any large truck, although this may not be practical at all times. Trucks don’t have rear-view mirrors to check traffic, which means they can only see you in their side mirrors if you a far enough back. If you are driving closer than 200 feet, the trucker cannot see you unless they see head lights or you are going around a curve. In addition, you cannot see beyond the truck due to its size, so the time needed to react and stop decreases and you heighten you risk of rear-ending the truck. Thankfully most trucks have steel underride guards fixed to the rear of the trailer to keep passenger cars from going underneath the trailer in the event of a rear-end collision. However, I do not recommend testing them.
Driving next to large trucks can be scary for many drivers as they fear the truck may enter their lane unexpectedly. This can happen when a motorist is driving in the trucker’s blind spot. So, to help reduce your chances of getting squeezed out of your lane, it is advisable that you avoid driving in a trucker’s blind spots, also referred to as the “No-Zone” areas.
In the event you have been involved in an accident with a semi-truck or tractor trailer in Greenville or Spartanburg, SC and you sustained severe injuries that have impacted the way you now live, you may be entitled to collect compensation. Sometimes, truck accident victims are entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
- Lost wages
- Loss of consortium, and more.
The best way to determine what your accident is worth is by consulting with an experienced lawyer, such as Greenville, SC accident attorney Paul Hammack.
Paul Hammack has 19 years’ experience as a trial attorney. He worked for insurance companies for 15 of those years so he has the knowledge and experience to get the most out of your workers’ compensation or personal injury claim. Unlike most big box firms, Hammack Law Firm is not afraid of taking a case to trial. If you are hurt on the job or by someone else’s negligence, we want to help. Better call Paul!.
You can contact Hammack Law Firm at:
223 West Stone Avenue Greenville, SC 29609 Phone: (864) 326 3333
Our Client Bill of Rights offers a 30-day unconditional satisfaction guarantee —no costs and no fees. We serve our Greenville clients in all areas of personal injury, including auto and motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and boating accidents.
To get started with our Greenville personal injury law firm, please simply contact us online or call (864) 766-7108 for a free consultation.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
