Blind Spots: Everything You Need to Know
Blind spots in a vehicle are areas around it that are not visible to the driver when using the rear view or side mirrors. The design, shape, and size of the vehicle all play a big part in defining the type of blind spots. Trucks have blind spots that are referred to as no zones. Due to the size of the truck, the blind spots a trucker has to deal with are bigger than those of other motorists. It is important for drivers to become aware of the blind spots they face every day as well as trying to stay out of those of other motorists. Let’s look at blind spots, how they can be avoided and what a personal injury lawyer can do when you’ve been involved in an accident.
What Is Driver Visibility and What Affects It?
Driver visibility is the maximum distance a vehicular operator can see objects around their car or truck. Beyond this distance, objects are no longer visible to the driver. There are outside factors that affect a driver’s visibility. For instance, weather conditions such as rain, fog or snow can lessen a driver’s visibility. However, bright sunshine can also affect visibility. In addition, the vehicle’s design may affect the driver’s ability to see. The windshield and dash affect visibility also, and the driver’s height must be taken into account when determining blind spots. Headrests and cargo stacked behind the driver can help create additional blind spots.
Pillars
These are support structures for the area of a vehicle housing the windows and roof and are important when dealing with blind spots. A vehicle can have anywhere from two to four pillars, and the number of pillars is usually dependent on the vehicle’s size. For instance, a hatchback normally has two pillars, while a sedan has four and a stretch limo or SUV generally have four. The pillars are designated alphabetically as A, B, C, and D. The B pillars are called posts, and rescue crews often use this nomenclature when extricating a vehicle’s occupant.
What Do Pillars Do?
The B pillars are used primarily to support the roof and to help hinge the rear doors and latch the front ones. Since roof support is an important factor in terms of safety and meeting federal requirements, the design of pillars is an important part of the manufacturing process. If the design is poor, it is more likely that the roof will cave in on the occupants in a rollover. Hardtops have B pillars, while convertibles do not and require other types of strength support. The visibility in the latter group is increased, although structural safety assets are lacking.
Blind Spots When Changing Lanes
One of the most crucial times for checking blind spots is when a driver changes lanes. Following a safety protocol when doing this is important. First, a driver should check their rearview mirror to see if it is safe to move over based on traffic. Next, the driver should turn on their blinkers to alert operators or other vehicles behind them of their impending action. After checking the rearview and side view mirrors once again, the driver should look over their shoulder to see if they missed vehicles in the mirror’s blind spots. Since cargo can interfere with visibility, it is better to load cargo away from the back windows. Backing out of a driveway onto a street can result in an accident if the driver does not use the same basic protocols to eliminate blind spots. The same holds true in parking lots. Some vehicles today come equipped with blind spot detection systems. While this is extremely helpful, it is best to check over your shoulder just in case.
Being Courteous on the Road
Once a driver is aware of their own blind spots, it is prudent not to linger in those of other drivers. This is particularly true if a driver has signaled that they are about to change lanes or turn. If you are driving next to a truck, by staying out of the trucker’s blind spots you can avoid causing an accident and suffering serious injuries.
What a Lawyer Can Do
If you are in an accident where the other driver moved into your lane and cut you off, an attorney will be able to use investigative techniques to tell if he or she did so without checking their blind spots correctly. The make and model of the vehicle the other driver is operating is important also since the design can affect visibility. Alternately, if you hit someone due to blind spots in your own vehicle, your attorney may be able to build a case against the manufacturer due to faulty design.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Injuries in highway accidents can be significant. If this happened to you, you’ll need the insight an injury lawyer can provide. Call me at (916) 921-6400 locally or at (800) 404-5400 nationwide for free and friendly advice. If it is easier for you, I also have a convenient contact page on my website, AutoAccident.com.
I’ve helped numerous inhabitants of Sacramento and Northern California to obtain the compensation they deserve in car accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumatic brain injuries.
I am pleased to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates, which allows members who have garnered over $1 million for a client and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel whose members have demonstrated the highest legal excellence.
When you are looking to retain a lawyer, you should learn as much as you can about their practice. You can see reviews by my previous clients and some by my peers as well as the outcome of some cases by using the following links:
Photo Attribution: Depositphotos_42683767_l-2015
:cd llo [cs 975] cv