A tractor-trailer may move into your lane even when you are driving lawfully beside it. After blind-spot truck accidents in Clarksville, trucking companies often argue that the driver simply did not see the smaller vehicle. That explanation does not answer the real question, which is whether the lane change was safe to begin with.
A truck accident lawyer can investigate the truck’s position and gather evidence showing where your vehicle was before impact. At Ponce Law, our dedicated truck accident attorneys can also communicate with the carrier while you focus on your recovery. We act quickly because video and other evidence can disappear.
A blind-spot tractor-trailer crash in Clarksville often happens in a zone where the driver has little to no visibility unless mirrors are checked carefully before turning or changing lanes. These zones include:
These zones do not excuse unsafe maneuvers. They are exactly why a commercial driver must confirm the surrounding space is clear before acting. Right turns are especially dangerous because a truck may swing wide before turning, putting a car traveling alongside at risk of being hit.
No-zone truck collisions in Clarksville often arise during lane changes and merging on multi-lane roads. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-123, a vehicle on a clearly marked, multi-lane roadway must stay as nearly as practicable within one lane. The driver must also first make sure that moving out of that lane can be done safely.
This duty involves more than a quick mirror check. It requires that the driver actually confirm that the space is clear, so pointing to a blind spot does not prove that it was safe to change lanes. If the blind spot kept the driver from confirming it was clear, the lane change should not have happened at all.
We are the only law firm to use RoadProof, which allows us to download footage from Tennessee Department of Transportation cameras. Using this footage, we can establish whether your vehicle was in proximity to the truck at the moment of a disputed lane change.
Blind-spot commercial vehicle wrecks in Clarksville may also raise questions about the truck’s visibility equipment. Under 49 Code of Federal Regulations § 393.80, covered commercial vehicles must carry two exterior rearview mirrors, one on each side, giving the driver a view of the roadway behind on both sides. These mirrors must also meet applicable minimum federal safety standards.
A missing, broken, or badly adjusted mirror can undermine a claim that the driver did everything required before moving. Proper mirrors remove much of the excuse for failing to see a vehicle alongside, as they let the driver check both sides before changing lanes or merging.
Ponce Law is a long-standing local firm that aggressively pursues trucking claims. Most of our cases come from referrals from other attorneys and law firms, which reflects the trust they place in our work.
Most blind-spot truck accidents in Clarksville lead to questions about whether the truck driver made sure the adjacent space was clear before moving. Evidence about lane position and visibility makes those questions far easier to answer.
If you were hurt in a blind-spot truck collision, Ponce Law can investigate what happened and protect the evidence that matters. Contact our firm today to discuss your claim.
When you’re injured through no fault of your own, you deserve compensation for the injury-related costs you face. Our Nashville personal injury lawyer is here to handle your injury claim so you can focus on your recovery.
At Ponce Law, our dedicated attorneys have been helping injured victims in the community since 1994, and we have the experience and knowledge to build a strong claim on your behalf. Contact our legal staff to get the help you need today just call (615) 908-3702 or fill out a free initial consultation form.